Roberta Miller was laid off from her Nassau County government job in 1992 because she was a Democrat during a Republican administration.
Yesterday, a jury decided that Nassau County "acted in bad faith in discharging her based on her political affiliation."
This case has New York State Republican Chairman Joseph Mondello's fingerprints all over it. Hopefully he is at least sanctioned for his role in this case.
more after the jump...
Seventy-two year old Roberta Miller has been awarded over $1 million after suffering an undeserved layoff for political reasons.
LI Newsday reports the story here.
Roberta Miller, 72, is entitled to 17 years of back pay and reinstatement to her civil service job as a special program coordinator in the Department of Senior Citizen Affairs, according to her attorney Louis Stober of Garden City. Stober estimated her back pay at $1.1 million, not including interest, accumulated vacation, sick and personal days or pension credit.
... ...
Stober, who also represents the Civil Service Employees Association, said, "This verdict vindicates Ms. Miller's fight for justice and proves that when exposed to the bright light of a jury's impartial scrutiny, decisions based on patronage will not stand."
This is great news, because although New York is a blue state, Long Island is mostly run by a bunch a nasty Republicans, like Peter King. Need I say more?
While then-County Executive Thomas Gulotta, a Republican, proposed raising taxes by about 25 percent, the Board of Supervisors, led by then-Hempstead presiding supervisor Joseph Mondello, the current state and county Republican chairman, reduced the tax hike and ordered layoffs instead.
Gulotta stepped down in 2001, but Joe Mondello has staying power. He was Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead until 1993, but has been chair of the NY State Republicans since 2006. I'm sure Joe is not having the easiest time since he is struggling to keep Long Island in the grips of the Republican party. Now is the time to turn up the pressure.
Why not contact his office and ask if he plans to step down? Or email his office.
Nassau County Republican Committee
164 Post Avenue
Westbury, New York 11590
516-334-5800
FAX: 516-333-4406
It's a travesty that our courts have to be tied up with political corruption cases. Thankfully this case ended well for the victim. They don't always. Unfortunately, the Nassau County taxpayers will pay the bill, not Joseph Mondello.
Hopefully we can get justice for Don Siegelman. I was very upset to hear he lost his appeal. Eric Holder needs to investigate that case ASAP.