Let's Rain On The Town of Monroe's Coverup Parade
The Town of Monroe refuses to share, with the public, their official determination concerning whether or not Highway Superintendent, James Patterson, is an office predator.
I know. I’ve already referenced Watergate. But “follow the money” is just as true today as it was then.
So, we’re going to do it *just* one more time.
This second Watergate axiom I’m going to share is, “the coverup is worse than the crime.”
That brings us to the Town of Monroe and how your elected representatives took a small problem and made it ten times worse.
Again.
What Went Down With William Brown
We’ve already covered what went down with William Brown (Jr.) already.
If you are just joining us though, here’s the recap:
William Brown Jr. was the Deputy Highway Superintendent for the Town of Monroe. For his trouble, he was compensated an additional ~ $5,000 or so in 2023.
At some point in 2023, William Brown Jr. was told about a credible claim of sexual harassment against James “Pat” Patterson, the Highway Superintendent. The claim came from an employee at the highway department, who now works at a place where she can still be retaliated against. So, I’m not going to identify the alleged victim.
Sensing that Tony Cardone, Sal Scancarello, and Dorey Houle (2024 State Senate Candidate) were not going to act against Patterson concerning the sexual harassment complaint, Mr. William Brown Jr. decided to run against James Patterson for the role of Highway Superintendent.
He would go on to lose in the election by 385 votes, proving once again why it’s so vital for you to come out and vote in your local election.
385 votes is more votes than either Trustee got in the recent Village of Monroe election.
During contract negotiations with the IBEW 363, Supervisor Cardone retaliated against William Brown Jr. for running against James Patterson. This retaliation violated New York State’s Taylor Law, opening the Town to a PERB (Public Employment Relations Board) complaint. Mr. Brown Jr., for whatever his reasons, chose not to file a PERB complaint, although I still think he should.
Cardone got away with this, by making up a story about how the Deputy position created a conflict of interest when disciplinary issues arise. Why this sudden concern for these “conflicts” was never explained since the Deputy role had been in existence for much of Cardone’s tenure as Supervisor.
Cardone then lied to the public stating the IBEW agreed with him about this “conflict.” This was refuted by the IBEW representatives I spoke with.
Cardone again lied to the public, stating that Councilwoman Richardson had opened the town to a PERB complaint, a claim with no basis in reality, but something Cardone dragged out across four town meetings.
After eliminating the position of Deputy Highway Superintendent, Supervisor Cardone took the ~ $5,000 received by Mr. William Brown Jr in 2023 and gave it to himself in 2024.
Mr. Cardone did this because, in addition to his salary as supervisor, he is also the Town’s Budget Examiner. A role that should not exist, because the Town Supervisor is literally the Budget Examiner for the Town. That is the sole purpose of the Town Supervisor.
If you find this as gross as I do, you can email the New York State Comptroller’s office, via their Newburgh office, and request that they audit the Town of Monroe.
It appears that such a thing is long overdue, given other instances of fraud and double dealing like with Cardone, who receives a travel stipend, billing the Town for his travel to and from WTBQ.
That email is: muni-newburgh@osc.ny.gov, and you can just send them this article. They’re already aware of this issue, since I’m the one who requested they audit the Town.
I Don’t See How They Can Make That Any Worse
Well, you would be wrong.
Because what appears to have happened is one of the following:
After being informed of the sexual harassment complaint, 2024 State Senate Candidate Dorey Houle, Supervisor Tony Cardone, Councilman Sal Scancarello, Highway Superintendent Patterson, and Town Attorney Brian Nugent decided to cover it up and not issue any sort of formal ruling or statement to employees or the public on the matter that would create a paper trail.
Town Attorney Brian Nugent, Town Clerk Valerie Bitzer, Supervisor Tony Cardone, Councilman Sal Scancarello, and 2024 State Senate Candidate Dorey Houle are coordinating an effort to deny to the public what decision was made by the Town of Monroe concerning claims of sexual harassment against Highway Superintendent Patterson.
Ok. They could also just be super incompetent and be living up to Gertrude Stein’s immortal words, “there is no there, there.” That incompetence wouldn’t come as a total shock given that a multimillion dollar garbage contract has gone missing.
So, yes. Your elected officials could just be a bunch of idiots.
But I’ve learned that when you underestimate an opponent, you lose.
So, I choose not to consider option three.
I’m of the belief they either covered up the claim of sexual harassment, and didn’t act in any official capacity on it, or they did act, and they’re trying to hide that action from the public.
How do I Know?
Because I FOIL-ed it.
Wasn’t that nice of him?
I guess he didn’t have much of an option, when I laid out the entire case against the town here on this issue.
The bottom line?
The Town of Monroe will not release whatever documents they have, because they feel those documents do not fall under the exceptions to the rules governing interagency communications.
That’s a mouthful.
Also? I disagree.
And when a Town or Village denies your appeal in the State of New York, you only have one recourse.
An Article 78 Proceeding
A lot of you have asked me about this, because we’ve talked about FOIL in New York a bunch already.
At the moment, I do not understand the Article 78 Process.
Thankfully, I’ve found a lawyer who does.
So, now, we’re going to walk through the process of filing the Article 78, so that those of you encountering similar issues — Whether it be South Blooming Grove or Airmont — know what to do.
The bad news for the Town of Monroe is that they’re about to suffer the Streisand Effect aka, the hilarious and very public unintended consequences that come from trying to cover something up.
Now, because of the coverup, there are a whole lot more eye balls on what’s going on with the town.
And there are two questions that will dog the town until they answer:
Why a 2024 State Senate Candidate representing Orange County would try to cover up a credible claim of sexual harassment?
Why the Town Supervisor, after illegally retaliating against a Town employee, would think it’s a good idea to take that employee’s money?
Here’s one thing we do know. You can help. You don’t even need to be a resident of the Town of Monroe.
All you need to do is copy and paste the following email, sending it to the Town Clerk and Councilwoman Maureen Richardson (so that the Town Clerk can’t pretend like she didn’t get your emails.)
Here’s what to copy, paste, and send …
Email: valerie@monroeny.org, mrichardson@monroeny.org
Subject: FOIL Request - James Patterson Sexual Harassment Claim
Body:
Re: Freedom of Information Law Request
Dear Valerie,
I am submitting this request for records pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, N.Y. Pub. Off. Law § 85, et seq., for access to and copies of the records collected between 1/1/22 and 4/1/24 concerning claims against Highway Superintendent, James Patterson.
I am specifically requesting records created by the following individuals:
Monroe Town Supervisor Tony Cardone (“the Supervisor”) and Monroe Councilwoman Dorey Houle, Monroe Highway Superintendent, James “Pat” Patterson, Jennifer Schnaars (Town HR manager), and Monroe Town Attorney, Brian Nugent (herein referred to as “the parties”).
I am requesting records on both their professional and personal devices, and professional and personal email addresses regarding the requests as described below involving town business
As mentioned by the Department of State in a December 2013 notice, “Business related emails, therefore, whether they are sent via a private email account or an agency email account, are “records”, the contents of which would determine rights of access under FOIL”
1. All emails, text messages, and other communications sent from “the parties” personal and professional devices, as defined above that include information about:
(a) Ethics Complaints Filed Against Mr. James “Pat” Patterson and their outcomes as decided by the Ethics Committee.
(b) Human Resources Complaints Filed Against Mr. James “Pat Patterson” and their outcomes as decided by the human resources department and all official contractors who aid in the rendering of such decisions for the Human Resources department.
(c) The final ethics committee determination, if any, concerning claims against James Patterson during this time.
(d) The final human resources determination, if any, concerning claims against James Patterson during this time.
As you are aware, the New York State FOIL law provides an exception to rules governing the disclosure of intra-agency communication. In fact, the New York State Committee on Open Government has already informed the town of these exceptions. Specifically, the Town MUST disclose final agency policy or determinations, which would include the results of an Ethics Investigation and Human Resources Investigation.
To the extent that records are available in electronic format (ideally in a .pdf), I request that they be provided in that format. If any records are unavailable within five business days of receipt of the request, and responsive records exist, I seek a description of such records and a timeline of when access to the records will be provided.
If you determine that certain parts of this request may be more easily produced than others, I am amenable to discussing a production schedule for records that will take longer to produce. Please furnish records to: (Put your email address here.)
Please do not hesitate to contact me at that email address if you have any questions about this request.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. You are reminded that you have five business days, not 90, to comply with New York State’s FOIL law.
Respectfully, (your name)
Send away, my friends. I’ll see you real soon with an update as this story develops.
Because it’s definitely far from over.