>Kathe Donovan Disgusted by Allegations of Bullying, Intimidation and Reprisals Against County Employees
Vows that public employees will never have to fear political pressure in a Donovan Administration
Republican candidate for County Executive Kathe Donovan said today that asking Dennis McNerney’s handpicked, political county administrator to investigate serious allegations of bullying, intimidation and reprisals against county employees “is like inviting Bonnie & Clyde to review county ethics practices and BCIA expense accounts.”
Ms. Donovan referred to a complaint filed by county employee Domenick Spitaleri who has charged that after refusing orders from superiors to make political phone calls for Mr. McNerney he was retaliated against. Mr. Spitaleri’s allegations have been sent to the United States Attorney.
According to Ms. Donovan, “Asking County Administrator Dacey to review these serious allegations is eerily familiar to Mr. McNerney asking a Democrat crony from Middlesex County to investigate allegations of corruption at the Bergen County Improvement Authority. There has been no public disclosure of findings from that “phantom investigation.”
Ms. Donovan said that no public employee will ever have to fear political pressure and reprisals during her administration. She added, “This is another example of Mr. McNerney refusing to be accountable or to take responsibility. He is a disturbing reminder of Captain Renault (Claude Raines) refrain from Casablanca, ‘gambling? I’m shocked that there’s gambling in this establishment.’
Ms. Donovan said she was delighted to receive a campaign contribution from the County’s blue collar labor union in the wake of the allegations of abuse, harassment and reprisals lodged against Mr. McNerney.
“Unfortunately, these latest charges of harassment, abuse, bullying and reprisals lodged against County Executive McNerney and his administration are consistent with reports that have circulated throughout the County since the beginning of this campaign. These are serious charges which should be fully investigated by appropriate law enforcement and regulatory agencies.”
“Mr. McNerney’s treatment of public employees as chattels of his campaign is consistent with his flagrant, cavalier use of public money to illegally fund his reelection effort. These desperate, despicable efforts to save his position are evidence that he does not merit reelection.”
