NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A complaint filed with the New Rochelle Board of Ethics last Monday by Talk of the Sound reports allegations of an apparent conflict of interest involving the 2019 New Rochelle PBA Memorandum of Agreement.
According to the allegations, Christine Dodge, the Commissioner of Human Resources, signed the New Rochelle PBA Memorandum of Agreement and was otherwise involved in its adoption by the New Rochelle City Council on September 17, 2019, during a time in which she was romantically involved with the sole counter-party to the New Rochelle PBA Contract, New Rochelle PBA President Detective Christopher Greco.
As a covered person, Dodge’s failure to disclose the relationship in Section F of the City Financial Disclosure form would appear to violate the Ethics Policy of the City of New Rochelle. Her alleged conduct raises serious questions whether Dodge acted in the bests interest of the City regarding the PBA contract.
Dodge was hired by the City of New Rochelle in 2018, after several years working for the City of Yonkers, with responsibilities that bring her into regular contact with all representatives of unions with collective bargaining agreements with the City of New Rochelle including Greco, the PBA President.
Christine Dodge has been appointed to the position of Commissioner of Human Resources for the City of New Rochelle. In this role, Ms. Dodge will oversee staffing, compensation and benefits, workforce education and development, and employee and labor relations.
Neither Dodge nor Greco responded to emails last Thursday and again today seeking comment on the allegations contained in the ethics complaint.
City Manager Charles B. Strome declined to comment on what he characterized as an “active investigation”, citing the ethics complaint.
The romantic relationship between Dodge and Greco has been an open secret within City Hall and the New Rochelle Police Department. Dodge bragged about the relationship to colleagues at City Hall, sources say.
Such a relationship would raise questions about her role in dealing with the outcomes of Internal Affairs investigations of New Rochelle PBA Members including PO Alec McKenna, who shot and killed Kamal Flowers in 2020 and Detective Michael Vaccaro, criminally charged in a police brutality case in 2021.
The New Rochelle Board of Ethics is led by Chairman Charles Phipps and includes David Blumenthal, and City Clerk Michelle Oliveros. According to Oliveros, the Board of Ethics is planning to schedule a meeting to review the ethics complaint in the next two weeks.
The complaint reads as follows:
Dear Chairman Phipps,
In the course of my reporting on the City of New Rochelle, it has come to my attention that a City employee required to file a financial disclosure statement with the Board of Ethics may have filed a deficient statement.
Upon reason and belief, this person holds a policymaking position with the City of New Rochelle and the deficiency in filing their required financial disclosure statement has a material bearing on the discharge of the reporting person’s official duties. To wit, Christine Dodge, the Commissioner of Human Resources, signed the New Rochelle PBA contract in 2019 and was otherwise involved in its adoption by the New Rochelle City Council on September 17, 2019, during a time in which she was romantically involved with the sole counter-party to the New Rochelle PBA Contract, New Rochelle PBA President Detective Christopher Greco.
It is my understanding that Ms. Dodge failed to disclose the nature of her relationships to City Council.
The concern is that due to an undisclosed conflict of interest she may have signed a major union contract not in the best interest of the City of New Rochelle.
Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Robert Cox
Publisher and Managing Editor
Talk of the Sound
The New Rochelle City Code states:
If a reporting person has filed a statement which reveals a possible violation of a duly adopted Code of Ethics of the City of New Rochelle, local law, ordinance or resolution or the Board of Ethics receives a sworn complaint alleging such a violation (and) If the Board determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation has occurred, it shall send a notice of reasonable cause to the reporting person, to the complainant, if any, and to the City Council of the City of New Rochelle. A reporting individual who knowingly and willfully fails after notice to file an annual statement of financial disclosure or who knowingly and willfully with intent to deceive makes a false statement or gives information which such individual knows to be false on such statement of financial disclosure filed pursuant to this article shall be assessed a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000.
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The only remark I can make is this; From what I personally know, Bob Cox is well aware of putting out fraudulent remarks, lies and mis information. He investigates looking for only the truth. I agree with Danny’s remark. Like so many municipalities, employees cross the line time and again. Some get caught, most don’t. Sadly, this kind of behavior and worse happens too many times.
Wow! This is horrible. To write something so false and try to mess up people’s lives and families is really low. Just because you don’t like Greco for some reason. Just awful.
The article is entirely accurate.
The complaint is against the Commissioner of Human Resources regarding a contract valued in the tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money.
This is NOT a personal matter but a question of public sector corruption.
Wow very unprofessional. Shameful!!! Be embarrassed to show my face at City Hall.
Robert Cox,
You are truly someone that is trying to make themselves feel important.
MAKING the baseless complaint and then writing an article, full of spelling and grammatical errors, ABOUT YOU MAKING A COMPLAINT. All to make it seem legitimate.
Worthless.
A senior member of the administration has a legal obligation to disclose any conflicts of interest. The Board of Ethics is tasked with investigating that question.
The complaint is against the Commissioner of Human Resources regarding a contract valued in the tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money.
This is NOT a personal matter but a question of public sector corruption.
That’s really f*@k up. I know you hate chris and the cops, but why do this? Take this down
A senior member of the administration has a legal obligation to disclose any conflicts of interest. The Board of Ethics is tasked with investigating that question.
The complaint is against the Commissioner of Human Resources regarding a contract valued in the tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money.
This is NOT a personal matter but a question of public sector corruption.
Wow, this is really messed up. No reason at all to post this article other then you having a personal issue with Chris. These are rumors that were obviously started by the same people who wants Mrs. Dodges position and /or those who are jealous of Chris. You effecting people’s families over your own personal complaint with no real substance. C’mon Coxy your better then this.
A senior member of the administration has a legal obligation to disclose any conflicts of interest. The Board of Ethics is tasked with investigating that question.
The complaint is against the Commissioner of Human Resources regarding a contract valued in the tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money.
This is NOT a personal matter but a question of public sector corruption.
Plumbers electricians contractors that do work for the city are related to certain city employees they get their family business or friends business the contracts with the city because they know the prices City Hall needs a clean sweep starting from the executive branch
If what you say is true, file a detailed complaint. Otherwise, you are just shouting at the waves.