NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The New Rochelle Board of Ethics met yesterday for a preliminary discussion of the complaint filed by this reporter regarding a potential conflict of interest for Human Resources Commissioner Christine Dodge, according to New Rochelle City Manager Charles B. Strome.
“They voted to retain an attorney from Wilson Elser to assist with the investigation,” Strome said. “The Board will meet with the attorney on Friday morning.”
City Clerk Michele Oliveros, one of three members of the Board of Ethics, has recused herself from the review of the Dodge complaint.
In a complaint filed with the New Rochelle Board of Ethics by this reporter last week, the Board of Ethics received 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.
Full details here.
Strome said Monday, the Ethics Complaint would be processed according to the City Code.
Under § 33-13 of the City Code, the Board of Ethics will notify Christine Dodge in writing of the “possible or alleged violation of such Code of Ethics, local law, ordinance, or resolution or this article and provide the person with a fifteen-day period in which to submit a written response setting forth information relating to the activities cited as a possible or alleged violation of law.”
If, based on her written response, the Board of Ethics makes a determination that further inquiry is justified, it will inform Dodge of the Board’s rules and her due process rights then hold a hearing.
Under § 33-17, the Board of Ethics may conduct any investigation necessary to carry out the provisions of the relevant sections of the City Code. The Board may administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and require the production of any books or records which it may deem relevant or material.
All the proceedings are confidential.
Under § 33-18, the only records the Board of Ethics is required to make available for public inspection are: (1) the information set forth in an annual statement of financial disclosure except the categories of value or amount, and any other item of information deleted pursuant to § 33-11A(6) and (7); (2); Notices of delinquency sent under § 33-12 of this article; Notices of reasonable cause sent under § 33-13B. No meeting or proceeding of the Board of Ethics shall be open to the public, except if expressly provided otherwise by the Board of Ethics.
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.
This reporter fully intends to publish any notice of “reasonable cause” in this matter.
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