Rotterdam Public Works Coordinator Michael Griesemer has resigned from his position after claims of sexual harassment from a female subordinate spurred the town to open an investigation.
Former Department of Public Works clerk Vicky Carrieri filed a notice of claim against the Town of Rotterdam in February that accuses Griesemer of recurring acts of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment through intimidation and threats. Carrieri claims “unwanted sexual advances” and “ongoing harassment” began shortly after she started working for the town in 2005. She is seeking economic injuries from alleged incidents occurring from August 2005 to present day.
Griesemer submitted a one-sentence resignation letter to Town Clerk Diane Marco on the morning of Friday, April 20, stating his departure.
Town Supervisor Harry Buffardi said he was expecting Griesemer to resign and it didn’t come as a surprise.
“I was familiar with the investigation that led up to this, and I knew he was anxious to get out of the process,” Buffardi said about Griesemer’s resignation.
Griesemer’s attorney, Christopher Massaroni, denied the claims made by Carrieri. The statement Massaroni emailed The Spotlight was received after going to print.
“The allegations of Vicky Carrieri against Michael Griesemer are both outrageous and false. However, this is a confidential personnel issue and we therefore decline to comment further,” Massaroni said.
Buffardi said the town is continuing to look into the allegations and it is being “extensively investigated.” Buffardi said he was looking into “some other issues” before the notice of claim was filed.
When asked if Griesemer’s resignation came under pressure from town officials, Buffardi declined comment.
The Spotlight acquired the notice of claim and resignation letter from the town through the Freedom of Information Law.
“Griesemer, acting within the scope of employment … engaged in an extreme and outrageous course of conduct, well outside the bounds of human decency, which intentionally caused (Carrieri) to endure severe emotional distress,” the claim reads. “Griesemer repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances towards (Carrieri), demanded and/or coerced (Carrieri) into performing sexual acts on him, made sexually explicit, inappropriate gestures and statements directed at (Carrieri), and exposed himself to (Carrieri) throughout the course of her employment.”
The claim also alleges Griesemer would persistently engage in “retaliatory conduct” when his sexual advances were refused by Carrieri, which allegedly led to a hostile work environment. Carrieri also claims he applied “harsher rules” to her and refused to address her concerns about being required to perform duties outside her scope of employment.
Also, Carrieri claims Griesemer discouraged her from reporting such conduct alleged to have occurred.
“Griesemer threatened or otherwise intimidated (Carrieri) to deter her from reporting his egregious conduct by threatening to make derogatory remarks about her to harm her reputation and credibility, threatening to lie if she reported him, and making statements that, upon information and belief, were intended to give (Carrieri) the impression that if she reported him she would be moved to another Department or otherwise suffer adverse consequences in her employment including, but not limited to, termination,” the claim reads.
The town redacted segments from the notice of claim, such as any mention of Griesemer or Carrieri and alleged dates of incidents.
Joseph Dougherty, Carrieri’s attorney, confirmed various information redacted by the town but declined further comment.
New York State Open Meetings Law permits government agencies to withhold records if a disclosure would result in an “unwarranted invasion of personal privacy” and allows omission of identifying details.
Now, with Griesemer’s position vacant, Buffardi said he would prefer to see it remain empty, or at the most filled part time. Buffardi said the town is discussing ways to streamline operations.
At the Rotterdam Town Board meeting on Wednesday, May 9, after The Spotlight went to print, the board approved a removing more than $10,500, or 26.3 percent, from the Sewer 2 DPW Coordinator budget line.
Councilman Robert Godlewski questioned if the position is planned to remain vacant. The money was being transferred to cover expenses in various accounts.
“Can I assume we are not going to fill that position?” he asked. “I’m little nervous taking that transfer, because if we are going to need that money for the position I don’t think we want to do that now.”
Buffardi continued to say the town is evaluating the department to make it more efficient.
“Certainly, if we can save expenses there (it is) our intention to do so,” Buffardi said. “I don’t know if we are ready to come up with a presentation as to whether we are going to replace it or not.”