Former Albany County Deputy Executive Christine Quinn returned to work with the county last week after taking a nearly two month leave of absence following her arrest on drug possession charges.
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy appointed Quinn to the position of chief information officer in the Division of Information Services upon her return to work. Bradley Fischer, who was director of operations for the county executive, has since been appointed to Quinn’s former position of deputy executive.
“Her leave had nothing to do with her job performance, and there would have been no question that she would be returning,” said Mary Rozak, a spokeswoman for the county executive. “We believe in innocent until proven guilty.”
Quinn, 35, was arrested in September on charges of attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a felony, and fraud, a misdemeanor. The state Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement led an investigation that found Quinn had allegedly illegally obtained methylphenidate, commonly known as Ritalin, in an amount that exceeded her prescribed dosage.
Quinn allegedly went to a local nurse practitioner’s office seeking a new prescription and claimed the pharmacy where she filled her previous prescription was only able to partially fill it with a month’s supply, according to a complaint filed in Colonie Town Court by a state narcotic enforcement investigator. According to the complaint, the pharmacy dispensed an 84-day supply only 28 days prior, which included 270 tablets of 20 mg Ritalin.
The felony charge stemmed from Quinn allegedly possessing more than 1 gram of a stimulant.
McCoy’s July 2012 appointment of Quinn was historic because she became the first woman to hold the position. Before her appointment, she served as acting commissioner of the Department of Human Resources.
Following her arraignment and release, Quinn opted to take a leave of absence using accrued time off, said Rozak. Her position was immediately filled with an appointment by the county executive because it could not remain vacant. Rozak also said Quinn could not return to her former position because the county doesn’t allow for “acting positions” in appointment roles.
“When Ms. Quinn indicated she was able to return to work, she filled the qualifications (of chief information officer) and was appointed,” said Rozak.
The position was recently vacated by John Evers, who is now Albany County’s director of operations.
Rozak said Quinn’s new role is not to be considered a promotion, and she will not be receiving a raise. Quinn’s salary will remain the same as it was when she left, but will reflect a recent increase approved by the county legislature for all county employees.
Quinn’s case is still pending in Albany County.
Rozak said county officials will not be speculating on the outcome of the case. If Quinn was to be found guilty, Rozak said the County Executive’s Office would look into what steps to take moving forward.