Police seize guns , drugs from Newburgh residence
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Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , December 7 , 2016
CSEA alleges abuse by Town of Newburgh highway superintendent
“ CSEA is weighing an ‘ improper practice ’ charge through the state Public Employment Relations Board ( PERB ) on the basis of anti-union animus , as workers were engaging in a protected union activity by filing the grievance ,” the union stated .
The CSEA highlighted previous litigation involving DePew and Hassan Gray , who filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court in 2012 . Gray alleged he was given menial work , passed up for job opportunities and that DePew and town Water Department Supervisor Douglas Elliott used racial slurs referring to him . The suit further claimed that Elliott , according to coworkers , was planning to have Gray fired .
The lawsuit also alleged a deliberate policy on the part of the town not to hire African Americans , stating the few number of black employees was the “ result of a conscious municipal policy …” In a statement , then town Supervisor Wayne Booth claimed the allegations “ were unfounded ” and that racial ethnicity played “ no role ” in the hiring of town employees .
In Brief
Town of Newburgh Highway Dept . Superintendent Todd DePew is being accused of racist , abusive treatment of town employees .
Continued from page 1
town water-department worker Hassan Gray filed a federal , civil rights lawsuit alleging he was overlooked for assignments , assigned menial jobs and repeatedly called the “ N-word ” by DePew and town Water Department Supervisor Douglas Elliott . The town ended up paying $ 70,000 to settle the case in 2014 . Gray is not involved in the latest complaint .
According to the union , a class-action grievance was signed by seven employees “ targeted ” by DePew .
Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio read a statement in response at Newburgh Town Hall on Monday night . “ When allegations were made in the form of grievances about our highway superintendent , I requested our police chief to conduct an investigation and interview not just those making the allegations but all members of the highway department .”
“ When the investigation was complete a special meeting was held , and the entire Town Board was present .
The chief presented the investigation ’ s findings . Upon considering the investigation ’ s results and following consultation with labor relations counsel , the board ’ s consensus was that there was insufficient evidence for it to act upon the grievances .”
The supervisor continued , “ I would not hesitate to place any employee on administrative leave if it was demonstrated to the town board and myself that an employee has engaged in unacceptable behavior … I will make no response to any allegations … it is up to an arbitrator to hear the facts and make a decision . That is the process .”
Piaquadio described the decision to demote the three highway department staffers as “ a management decision .” He said the arbitrator would make the decision to determine if the demotions were justified and the town would comply with the arbitrator ’ s decision .
A date for arbitration has not yet been set , said CSEA spokeswoman Jessica Ladlee . The union maintains that two , demoted employees are being punished for filing the grievance , a violation under state Civil Service Law .
Police seize guns , drugs from Newburgh residence
A month-long probe into alleged narcotics sales at a City of Newburgh residence has resulted in multiple arrests
On December 1 at approximately 6 a . m ., the City of Newburgh Police Department with assistance from the Town of Newburgh Police Department and the Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force conducted a search warrant at 207 Third Street in the City of Newburgh . The search warrant was a result of a several month long investigation into narcotics sales from the location . Officers searched the location and recovered and seized approximately 8.5 grams of cocaine , two rifles , several scales , and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia .
City of Newburgh resident , Ulee Johnson , 37 , was located inside of the residence and subsequently arrested and charged with felonies of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the fourth degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree . He was processed and then transported to City of Newburgh Court for arraignment .
Also located inside of the residence during the time of the search warrant was Carrie Williams , 37 , and John Thompson , 28 . Both individuals were found to have active arrest warrants from the City of Newburgh Court . Williams was subsequently charged with Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree . Thompson was subsequently charged with assault in the second degree and Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree . Both individuals were processed and then transported to City Court for arraignment .