Professional Documents
Culture Documents
October 8, 2010
You are also fully aware that this situation is not one appropriate for the
Workman’s Compensation Forum. While it may be in the best interest of the City to
attempt to handle the matter there, as this venue does not allow recovery for much of the
actions complained of, it is simply not the forum to litigate such issues.
As stated before my client is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which
is the direct result of his being accused of stealing a garden hose which was found within
the department prior to the criminal investigation being commenced, and being forced to
stand trial for a crime he did not commit. For the better part of two years he was forced
to live with uncertainty about his future and then when the matter was finally concluded,
Police Commissioner Amico said in open session that my client was a “thief”. The
department created a hostile work environment and when the matter finally came to a
close the highest governing body within the department decided to weigh in with an
opinion that only worsened the situation. Rather than just letting the situation end
Commissioner Amico felt the need to yell at a taxpaying citizen and then have him
removed from a public meeting because he had the audacity to ask the board a simple
question, and then he referred to my client as a “thief”. My client did not create this
situation, the Ansonia Police Department did and they are still refusing to accept any
responsibility and are refusing to take even one measure to attempt to rectify it.
As to your trying to pull the proverbial “fast” one by scheduling a hearing with
less than one week’s notice, I am not going to stand for that. The hearing can either be
rescheduled with sufficient time to prepare or this action will become just another means
for my client to recover upon the commencement of a civil lawsuit. This complete
disregard of my client’s right to have sufficient notice of a hearing will simply become
the basis for yet another violation of my client’s rights of due process that can be
litigated. I request this hearing be postponed one month for purposes of preparing to
prevent evidence and to obtain the transcripts of the testimony of Chief Hale, and others,
given in the criminal proceeding so it may be used at this hearing. I will also make
additional copies so any interested taxpayers may read it.
This matter can be dealt with amicably through the proper channels, or it can
become another situation where the taxpayers’ money is spent unnecessarily.
In addition, to save everyone some time and effort I suggest you contact Chief
Kevin Hale who, as of late, he has been the sole voice of reason on the part of the City of
Ansonia, so he can tell you that he long ago authorized my client to hold a job in addition
to his police duties. This issue was addressed in the internal affairs investigation
conducted by the Connecticut State Police in which all charges levied against my client
were unsubstantiated. I fail to see how you can justify the expense to the taxpayer of
investigating an issue in search of an answer that you have had since February of this
year.
Finally, considering my client has a pending CHRO complaint which complains
of the actions of both Robert Goldsen and Nicholas Amico, and my client will be
commencing a civil action against both individuals as well as the city in the coming
months, it is only appropriate, and I specifically request they both recuse themselves from
anything having do to with this matter. One aspect of this claim is Commissioner Amico
referring to my client as a “thief” and then trying to prevent the recording of this incident
from being disseminated to the public. If anyone has trouble recalling this incident I have
a copy of the tape in my possession and will be happy to share it. Again, if these
individuals refrain from recusing themselves any claim for wrongful termination becomes
stronger so proceed as you wish.