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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

NorCo Jail Supervisor Fired For Enforcing Uniform Policy

Jason Rosati
He'll tell you himself that he is a bit of a hard ass who sometimes is too blunt and brash. He admitted it last night. But he wasn't speaking with his friends at some pub. Jason Rosati, a lieutenant at the jail, was testifying before Northampton County's Personnel Appeals Board in an effort to get his job back. He was suspended in January without pay and then fired in February after a hearing in which he was denied a lawyer or the right to preset witnesses. Was he supplying cell phones to inmates? Sneaking in drugs or woman?. No. His offense was far more serious. He was escorted out if the jail and told never to come back because he actually insisted that corrections officers who work under him wear a proper uniform. Unfortunately for Rosati, he enforced this uniform policy against a female corrections officer who is believed to be a snitch for Deputy Administrator Cathy Allen.

The lawyers

At last night's hearing, Rosati was represented by Pat Reilly, a partner at the Allentown Gross McGinley law firm who successfully sued the County when it fired Assistant Solicitor Jill Mancini. The County was represented by labor attorney Tom Heimbach, who is with the Allentown office of FlammWalton.  Providing legal advice to the Board, and acting as a quasi hearing officer, was Christian Perrucci of Bethlehem's Florio law firm.

The Board

Northampton County's five-member Personnel Appeals Board,  whose members are appointed by the Executive and confirmed by County Council, include the following: Bill Alexander, himself a retired corrections officer; Dave "Lump" Sanders, owner of Bethlehem's revered Table of Knowledge at Lump's Deli; Ralph Stampone, owner of Ralph's Radiator and inspector of my now deceased Jeep; Pen Argyl's John Dally, who also sits on the Gaming Board; and Pat Siemiontkowski, who retired recently as Northampton County's own HR Director.

The Personnel Appeals Board adjudicates grievances filed by career service employees. These are the nonunion workers. There is a separate grievance procedure for union employees

Because Pat Siemiontkowski has only recently retired and had some familiarity with Rosati, Perrucci decided to recuse her. Being able to go home early on a hot summer night brought a smile to her face. Before anyone could change his mind, she was gone. (Pat, if I spelled your name wrong, I am sorry).

Who is Jason Rosati?

He's already admitted he's a hard ass. He's also a decorated Navy veteran who served for five years as a Seabee and participated in Desert Storm. He's also a father of four, and his wife accompanied him to last night's hearing.

During his stint in the Navy, he learned to value military discipline. You can see that in him today, with a military crew cut and erect posture.

His military discipline has served him well in over 20 years of corrections at Northampton County's jail. He worked his way up through the ranks to become a Lieutenant, a position he has held for the past five years.

He told Lump Sanders that it can be stressful and that he's lost a lot of friends. "If I had to do it all over again, I'd stay a corrections officer," he candidly admitted.

He testified he is a "stickler for details" who holds corrections officers to a "higher standard." He enforces the uniform policy. "It starts there," he explained. "Pride in your uniform. Pride in your job."


Kim Yedlosky
Who is Kim Yedlosky?

In stark contrast to by-the-book Rosati, there's a corrections officer at the jail named Kim Yedlosky. She's more of a free spirit, is excitable and made Secret Service agents very nervous when Vice President Biden visited The Blue in 2010. She even began to taunt them until a fellow tea partier settled her down.

Over the past three years, Rosati and Yedlosky have had a number of confrontation over her disregard for the uniform policy and Rosati's insistence that it be followed. He has written her up several times.

Who is Cathy Allen?

She sat in on last night's hearing and is the Deputy Administrator. She is a high school grad who ran a two-person office and had no experience in County government.Though she has no supervisory authority, she asserted herself at the jail, and even moved between 60 and 80 files to the Executive's Office. She began reviewing old discipline reports and actually wanted to discipline some officers a second time for old offenses until Pat Siemiontkowski educated her on this little thing called double jeopardy.

Attorney Reilly produced evidence at the hearing, including Allen's own job description, demonstrating that she has no jail oversight.

Is Yedlosky a Cathy Allen Snitch? 

That's what Attorney Reilly argued last night. Operations Manager Alfie Crivellaro, who played a big role in firing Rosati, admitted that Yedlosky let it be known throughout the jail that she has a relationship with Allen. Though he denied ever hearing her referred to as a snitch, he testified that Yedlosky may believe she is protected.

According to Rosati, other supervisors are afraid of her, and call her Teflon Kim because nothing ever sticks. "She makes it known that Miss Allen supports her. They are afraid."

Attorney Reilly argued and Rosati testified that Crivellaro is afraid, too. Crivellaro, who was placed on ARD for providing alcohol to minors, was told by Allen that he should not be working at the jail. Crivellaro denied this when he testified, but Rosati also insisted that Crivellaro had warned him to "watch your back" and that Allen had both of their personnel files.

Rosati also testified that Yedlosky approached corrections officer Troy Frey and threatened that unless he provided her with dirt on Rosati, she was going to see that Frey was fired. She was disciplined after that confrontation, according to both Rosati and Crivellaro

Eventually, Warden Todd Buskirk called Rosati into his office and told him that if he decides he needs to discipline Yedlosky in the future, he needed to get approval from a Captain. "We are trying to protect your job," Buskirk reportedly told Rosati.

Rosati Disciplines Yedlosky

On January 7, Yedlosky came to work with her top three shirt buttons left open, exposing a V-neck T-shirt and a choker necklace. Those may not be worn while on duty. Rosati told Yedlosky to button her blouse and she ignored him. When he checked later, her shirt was still unbuttoned. As a result, Rosati wrote up the incident and forwarded the matter to Captain David Collins for approval, and he got it.

He explained his reasoning.

"If she can't be counted on to tie her shoes, how can I count on her when she needs to go into a cell to protect another officer?"

But two days later, Al Crivellaro told Rosati that he was withdrawing the discipline because it is not enforced evenly.

"That's Bullshit!"exclaimed Rosati, who threatened to go over Crivellaro's head. Crivellaro acknowledged that he and Rosati have used profanity with each other for years, and was not offended. But he was offended by Rosati's attitude. Rosati believed Crivellaro pulled the discipline because he is afraid of Yedlosky and Allen. Crivellaro insisted other corrections officers were not being disciplined, a point that Rosati disputed.

Rosati Fired For Enforcing Uniform Policy

After thisconfrontation, things snowballed against Rosati. On January 12, he was suspended without pay, pending an investigation into his conduct. With only a few days notice, Corrections Director Dan Keen conducted a termination hearing on January 26. Though Rosati had witnesses available to testify, they were not allowed. Though he desired to have an attorney, that was denied as well. Keen abruptly stopped the hearing, told Crivellaro to look into how many times Rosati had disciplined Yedlosky in the past. Rosati testified he was given no opportunity to present a defense.

"There was no due process," Reilly argued, reminding the Board that a federal jury determined that former Assistant Solicitor Jill Mancini had been denied due process, too.

On February 21, Rosati received a letter informing him that he was terminated..  

After three and a half hours, Rosati rested his case. When the Board meets again, the county will be provided an opportunity to tell its story. After that, the Board will decide to sustain or deny Rosati's appeal.

No date has been set.

Keen , who recently conducted a sweep at the jail and found nothing, complained of "complacency."  You would think, therefore, that he would want Supervisors who insist on the best from corrections officers.

49 comments:

Untouched Takeaway said...

Bernie

I swear on my beloved mother's grave that when I read the first paragraph - before I ever scrolled down to the photo, I knew ... I •knew• it was going to involve Yedlosky.

I've watched her interactions on the Easton FB and she's beyond repellent. Her language would make Norman Mailer blush.

I don't know about the snitch thing, but the uniform infraction write-ups wouldn't surprise me in the least. Not by a long shot.

Anonymous said...

Yedlosky is a complete tea party wacko. In addition, it's been my understanding for years, that she won't pass a drug test.

Reality Bites said...

Ms Yedlosky doesn't look like the kind of girl you'd bring home to mother.

Anonymous said...

Except for the fact that he doesn't consistently enforce the rules, he's very selective. His buddies roll in late and hungover with their shirts hanging out? No problem. They sneak off and grab a quick nap? No problem. Sneak out early? No problem.

This is not the whole story.

Anonymous said...

She looks like a loser. So does Cathy Allen. The brownstain MO is to choose losers to dictate over. don't hire anyone smarter than yourself.
Has the Brownstain been FBIed for his $40,000.00 donation from the Atown bandits?

Anonymous said...

I personally know Yedcrazy, oops yedlosky. She reminds me of mezzacappa

Anonymous said...

Please tell me how this woman got her job in the first place?????Who hired her?????

Anonymous said...

She is a Mezzacrappa wannabe. Allen is a slimy stooge who couldn't be trusted with a bag of nickels. She has proven time and again that she is incompetent an an embarrassment to the Brownstain administration. Of course, the standards there are low to begin with. Brown should be relishing in the Pawlowski story. It diverts scrutiny from his own sorry performance. For the past week Bernie's considerate investigative skills have been directed to the King and his Court. Brownie you better take advantage of this time out to get your dilapidated house repaired or BO will be back with a vengeance!

Anonymous said...

Mezzacappa? Who in the right mind hired her. She's scary and she's a corrections officer? OMG What a role model for the prisoners. I gather she is not educated either. As far as Rosati I say good for him. Nobody in today's world will ever meet up to his background. It's called "Discipline and self-worth." Obviously, she looks like she crawled out of a gutter.

Anonymous said...

Did anyone check and see if there is a penis on this individual?

Anonymous said...

nice tats!

Anonymous said...

Please tell me that picture of that hooker is not the woman you reference here in your story.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"I've watched her interactions on the Easton FB and she's beyond repellent. Her language would make Norman Mailer blush"

Which Easton Facebook page?

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Except for the fact that he doesn't consistently enforce the rules, he's very selective. His buddies roll in late and hungover with their shirts hanging out? No problem. They sneak off and grab a quick nap? No problem. Sneak out early? No problem."

The County will have a chance to present its side of the case. Crivellaro claimed that he looked at video and saw three people who shoukd have been written uo by Rosati who were not. Then it was two. Then it was one. And Rosati countered that he just never saw it.

But even assuming that there is some evidence of selective enforcement, do you fire a guy? That seems totally disproportionate.

Untouched Takeaway said...

The one Lainie established. The mods there had to delete a posting about one issue that devolved into really nasty volleys between Yedlosky and other posters.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/52119830134/

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Please tell me how this woman got her job in the first place?????Who hired her?????"

She's been there about eight years so would have been brought in by Todd Buskirk, who apparently thought Yedlosky would be a good fit.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"The one Lainie established. The mods there had to delete a posting about one issue that devolved into really nasty volleys between Yedlosky and other posters.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/52119830134/"


Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Do I see an Adams apple

Anonymous said...

If we were not up to standards Jason was good enough to give us a warning. How many times must you be warned before you get the point? Believe me if he wrote you up you had it coming!

Anonymous said...

I worked with Jason for 20 years and he is a good man. of course all of us have our faults, but firing him over this chickenshit? it just shows the caliber of the county administrators. this new director was just trying to play hard ass.... plain and simple. if these administrators had to pay the lawsuit payouts out of their own pockets and get fired themselves, this crap would stop.

Bernie O'Hare said...

It is incredible. They fire a guy who wants COs to take pride in their work.

Anonymous said...

Hope it turns out he was terminated in a vendetta by chicken-shit Allen. Then he could sue her and the county for a six-figure "severance pay."

Anonymous said...

The jail is full of traps and set ups. Jason, unfortunately fell into one. The most recent County victim of circumstance is Mark Anascavage. That man did not deserve to lose his job either. Good ole Al Crivellaro told Mark if he fought his termination, he would lose his pension. Al should have lost his job, but was spared. One day Karma is going to catch up to them all.

J. SPIKE ROGAN said...

Gross McGinley is a great firm. He will do well in court!

And as for the county jail--it has long been a joke. I mean, no heads rolled when one corrections officer was busted for doing cocaine after work. Wild guess what coke heads in a correctional facility bring--smuggled drugs. Yet they stomped down on following the rules?

Is it any wonder why the people of Easton HATE the county forcing this terrible facility on them in city limits? In 2003 it is this culture that resulted in the backlash over a jail expansion.

Rainbow Warrior said...

Is Yedlosky "transitioning?" Seriously. He or she is frightening.

Anonymous said...

Kim is a hot blonde who also happens to be something of a renegade no surprise that Smeagol has targeted her persistently with venomous blog posts seeking to marginalize her among her peers. Knowing Kim personally I will say that her patience for such skulduggery is much lower than the woman he chased out of West Easton.

Anonymous said...

This looks like a crock of shit, this woman is getting special treatment, and the officer got it straight in the butt.

Anonymous said...

Bernie - the 2nd word of this post is missing - it's kind of glaring though admittedly the interested reader will move past it.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Fixed. Thanks for pointing it out.

Anonymous said...

"She's been there about eight years so would have been brought in by Todd Buskirk, who apparently thought Yedlosky would be a good fit."

OMG this has to be a joke. Come on, how the heck did she get a job as a prison guard. Bernie, really, is that really her picture? I can't image who would have thought this woman would be a 'good fit' for any position except bar
hostess.

Anonymous said...

So this is NOTHING but a kangaroo court? He really has no chance other then to sue then?

Anonymous said...

Who's this dude in the dress pic?

Anonymous said...

@5:08PM "Kim is a hot blonde..."

You lost all the credibility you don't have by starting off that way. Her tats are gross, and her arms look like a prize fighter's.

If you are into manly women that look like they belong in state prison, this woman may be just your type.

kim Yedlosky said...

Bhraaaaaaaa ha haa! Thats funny shit, Ill be laughing all the way to the bank. O' be the way Bernie, John Vivian says hi.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Kim Yedlosky, I have the right to report on the events o a proceeding, even if the accusations made about you are false. If this were not the case, every acquitted criminal would have the right to sue.

Anonymous said...

Except for the fact that he doesn't consistently enforce the rules, he's very selective. His buddies roll in late and hungover with their shirts hanging out? No problem. They sneak off and grab a quick nap? No problem. Sneak out early? No problem.

I would think a woman with top buttons unbuttoned in a prison would be more of an issue than a shirt tail hanging out.

Anonymous said...

It is incredible. They fire a guy who wants COs to take pride in their work.

By the way I read your story, it sounds like he was fired for using profanity and/or being insubordinate to a superior?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Accordng to CRivellaro, the profanity was no big deal. I believe it was for insolence.

Anonymous said...

If only the Mediterranean Manslab had been made Director. Officers would have aspired to look as good as him with his chiseled body, bronze skin, and a wardrobe worthy of Milan. His calm Zen like approach and Mensa mind would have settled this issue before it got out of hand

Anonymous said...

I believe she was hired during the Stoffa Administration.

Anonymous said...

According to Crivellaro profanity was no big deal, then why do they threaten to send people home if they use it?

Anonymous said...

Hey 3:55 the county has a personel file at there disposal don't count the money yet.

Bernie O'Hare said...

7:59, as explained by Rosati and Crivellaro, it depends on how and with whom it is used. Rosati and Crivellaro had been friends for many years, and both used profanity with each other, assuming that the word "bullshit" rises to that level. But Rosati would not speak that way to others.

Anonymous said...

I'd be embarrassed, Kim. You look like you went through WWII

Jacqueline Suarez said...

I do not even know where to begin. I worked with Mr. Rosati for several years, and I have to say that man was nothing but professional. He was serious about his job and I always respected him. I just finished reading that Mark Anscavage lost his job as well. I also worked with him, though a short period of time I got to know Mr. Anscavage, he was one of the few who went out all the way to help others. He was extremely professional at all times. These two men did not deserve to lose their job. I was also let go by Northampton County Prison. I am sure that I could have had a good lawsuit, but I did not have the emotional stamina at the time to fight these evil doers. My coworker did not like me, she made racial comments about me all the time, she harassed me until no end, and even went as far as to sign my signature on legal papers. I begged Human Resources, Arnie Matos, the union to help me. I bought this information to Administration several times and nothing was done. I don't know why they protected the other woman so much. I heard rumors, but I will not write them here as I do not know them to be truth. My last day at Northampton County prison, I was called by Arnie Matos via phone at 2:10 pm and was told that I had to either resign or be terminated. I was given until 3:00pm to make my decision. They did not give me time to state my side or to get Union Representation. I know how these people work... they are evil and do not care about anyone. I gave my 200% to N.C.P. I fell into a deep depression for over two years as I loved doing what I did. Any inmate and staff can tell you that I went way and beyond my call of duty. That's okay, because now I have a very good paying position at a State Correctional Facility in Florida. I have regained my confidence and moved on. When I read articles like this I want to puke. All I have to say is that Mr. Rosati did not deserve to be fired. And Yes, I agree Crivellaro is a coward, a hypocrite, and shows no morals or ethics in my opinion. Mr. Rosati and Mr. Anscavage all I have to say is that my prayers are with you. I feel what you are going through!!!! And don't worry Karma is a Bitch. They will their theirs.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Wow! Jackie, Did you secure employment elsewhere?

Jacqueline Suarez said...

Bernie, Yes, I work at Maximum Security Prison in Florida, I work as a Transitional Case Manager. I make very good money, God truly blessed me. Not only monetary, but with a job that I love so much. I couldn't be happier.

Bernie O'Hare said...

That's good to know. Just about everyone left go is now making more money elsewhere.

Jacqueline Suarez said...

Thank you Bernie!!! Karma works both ways.... I feel that I was wronged and in the long run I was blessed. I know of others who were wronged by NCP's Administration and now are doing a lot better! I may be in Florida, but I always read your blog!