PAWLING – JoAnne Daley, the secretary for the Town of Pawling planning and zoning boards, has sued the Town of Pawling, Town Supervisor James Schmitt, and former Building Inspector Thomas Basile. Daley, a longtime employee of the town, is suing for more than $250,000, according to her attorney, Tom Gambino of Poughkeepsie.
Daley filed a Notice of Claim with the town last year, in an attempt to avoid litigation against the town, Schmitt, and Basile after she says Schmitt did not address her complaints about Basile’s behavior, and instead, she was punished for bringing his behavior to light.
Daley says she observed Basile on several occasions, beginning in January 2023, “sleeping at his desk and smelling of alcohol while on duty and on town property.” Daley claims she observed additional behavior from Basile that indicated he was intoxicated while at work. Daley does not indicate that she is certified by law enforcement to make such determinations.
The plaintiff says she notified Town Supervisor Schmitt of her observations, indicating the behavior posed a safety risk to employees and civilians. She claims that Schmitt retaliated by punishing her and demoting her to her previous position in town government.
Daley says she suffered past and present damages pursuant to civil rights violations, defamation, including slander and libel, damage to reputation, loss of standing in the community, whistle-blower violation, civil service law violation, and loss of compensation.
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