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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Fired Jail Supervisor Still Being Denied His Day in Court

Rosati
For the past two days, I've been exposing what really goes on at the NorCo jail. It makes the case of Jason Rosati, a Lieutenant with 20 years of experience in Corrections, just a little more understandable. In January, he was suspended without pay for the strangest of reasons. He was let go for insisting that the people under him follow the rules. That sounds nutz, but after having been exposed to just a slice of what goes there, I understand. Jason had the temerity to discipline a corrections officer who sauntered into work with an unbuttoned blouse and a choker necklace, both of which are contrary to uniform policy. Operations Administrator Al Crivellaro, who just happens to be the very same person who interviewed and investigated Madame X, engineered Rosati's removal early this year. Rosati is still being denied his day in court.

After being fired in late January or early February, Rosati filed a grievance with Northampton County's Personnel Appeals Board. Under Northampton County's Administrative Code and Home Rule Charter, this a five-person body established to adjudicate claims made by career service, i.e. nonunion, workers. Members are appointed by the Executive and confirmed by County Council. They 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. They are volunteers.

Though he has gone without a paycheck since his suspension in January, Rosati's case was not heard by the Personnel Appeals Board until July 14. That night, Attorney Pat Reilly established pretty convincingly that Rosati had been ambushed by a snitch brigade reporting to Deputy Administrator Cathy Allen. Rosati had disciplined one of the head snitches. Even Crivellaro admitted that this snitch 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 she may believe she is protected.

According to Rosati, other supervisors are afraid of her. "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 pleaded no contest in 2010 to 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, who admits he is a bit of a hard ass, believes his strict adherence to the rules could save the lives of officers in emergency situations.

Attorney Reilly finished his case in one night, but the County is entitled to present its side of the case, and another hearing was supposed to be scheduled for that to happen.

As of today, Rosati is still waiting for his next date in court. He is still being deprived of a paycheck.

When he wins this case, and I can't see any other resolution, the taxpayers are going to be forced to pay him for the time he spent sitting on his ass when he could have been working.

I suspect the County sees the handwriting on the wall, too, and has still refused to provide dates at which its lawyers will be available for Round Two.

I know this bothers Personnel Appeals Board members, who think they should have a designated night each month for hearings. if there are no cases, they just stay home.

Ken Kraft and Scott Parsons have repeatedly suggested to Executive Brown that this system, which actually denies justice, needs to change.

In the meantime, it appears that Rosati will go until January before his case is heard again.

_____________________
*)  Siemiontkowski has been recused in this matter.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Crivellaro gets arrested for serving alcohol to minors. Crivellaro orchestrates Rosario's bogus firing. Crivellaro hit the car of Luis Campos and doesn't fess up. Crivellaro is dirty with his involvement in the hiring process. Why isn't he fighting for his job instead of Rosati? When does it end with that guy?

Anonymous said...

And that should be Rosati's firing. Damn auto correct.

Anonymous said...

So because of your buddy Rosati, this is why you have crucified the young woman. Everyone figured this was your motive.

Anonymous said...

"We need 10 Cathy Allens" -John A Brown

Anonymous said...

Allen is a menace and an embarrassment to the county's citizens, who pay her inflated and undeserving salary.

Anonymous said...

Actually, your headline for this post gave me an idea.

Rosati really isn't being denied his day in court. He's being denied his day before the Personnel Appeals Board. Couldn't he take the matter to the courts and claim that the county is not acting in good faith by needlessly delaying the hearing and not resolving the matter in a timely fashion? It seems like he already has a lawyer, so that would seem like a logical next step.

Secondly, Council sets policy. Couldn't it amend the Administrative Code or something like that to require the Personnel Appeals Board to meet on a monthly basis (unless there are no cases)? That would also seem like a logical step for those on Council, and a more productive course of action than a couple of members just complaining about the Administration dragging its feet.

I'm all for following the process, but when it's being abused I think you have to look at ways to work around it. The Administration had its chance, so I think it's time to look at the alternatives. Let the chips fall where they may.

Anonymous said...

8:11,

actually this entire administration is an embarrassment as well as county council but then you get what you vote for.

Anonymous said...

Is Pat a republican or Democrat?

Anonymous said...

ok here we go making him look like an upstanding guy when we all know he did nothing but HARASS the female officer...over and over and over....

Bernie O'Hare said...

8:19, There is absolutely no question that he could go directly to court bc the county has made the admin process a joke. But we are now talking a year since his illegal termination. A disposition in court will still take time. at this point, he might as well wait it out.

Council is well aware of this abuse. Personnel Appeals Board members complain, too. It's obvious Brown won't do anything, and they need to do so and mandate monthly meetings, with continuances only granted by the Board and for good cause.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Is Pat a republican or Democrat?"

I would suspect she is D but that should be irrelevant to this discussion.

Anonymous said...

its funny how you make all the dirty ones look like upstanding people and all the innocent ones look like the bad ones..yay for you..

Anonymous said...

Karma's a bitch, aint it, u lying pos!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Mezzacappa, Pay your judgment. That 6% interest keeps adding up.

Anonymous said...

Bhraaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!! Cant wait till this all blows up

Anonymous said...

"I would suspect she is D but that should be irrelevant to this discussion" BO you got to be kidding, the R's that Brown appointed will get there marching orders before the hearing to vote against him. How do I knowing, it was tryed on me year ago.

Anonymous said...

"I would suspect she is D but that should be irrelevant to this discussion" BO you got to be kidding, the R's that Brown appointed will get there marching orders before the hearing to vote against him. How do I know, it was tryed on me year ago.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Your comment is incredibly stupid. How many Personnel Appeals Board Hearings were there last year? At most, one or two. You had better hope there were two, bc if not, you have just given yourself away. You are also defaming these people. You jave no way of knowing whether what you say is true, yet you recklessly make a false accusation. I happen to know these people, both R and D. They cannot be bought or ordered to do anything. Your statement is actually an outrage and proves you have not become any smarter over the last year.

Anonymous said...

Wait for the outcome if there is a hearing. Donald saids "You're fired".

Anonymous said...

All of you are missing the boat here. Find out who schedules the meetings and you`ll find out who should be fired.

Anonymous said...

Who is incredibly stupid ? The county executive calls the shots, (he tells the personnel committee when to meet) and the county executive and his under bosses never tell people what to do or how to vote!

Bernie O'Hare said...

7:52, Shall I do a RTK to find out how many hearings there were last year? If it shows one, you are incredibly stupid. Uou know as well as I do that the Personnel appeals board is quasi judicial and it would be improper for Brown to tell them what to do. Your assertion that this happened is a libel to Brown as well as members of the board. Stop the lies. Brown looks bad enough with truth.

Anonymous said...

Bernie the solicitor for the Personnel Committee schedules meetings when he feels like it. Why we pay an attorney to do this boggles my mind a clerical chore at best.

Bernie O'Hare said...

It is not the Solicitor of the Personnel Committee. It is the Solicitor of the personnel Appeals Board. Not one dime should be spent on having him make phone calls to schedule meetings that are canceled time and again. There needs to be a monthly hearing, and continuances should only be granted by the Board, not the Solicitor, and only for good cause shown. This bullshit has to stop, and it is time for rules.

Anonymous said...

These people volunteer why do you think they cancel time and time again, answer they are told to, by who, one guess, or they don't know someone haves been fired (give me a break).

Bernie O'Hare said...

They do not cancel. It is the attorney for one side or the other that seeks continuances, and then the attorney for the board spends an obscene amount of time scheduling a new hearing. You are insane to suggest that Personnel Appeals Board members play any role in this bullshit. This has to stop. Quit while you are behind.

Anonymous said...

Let look at it this way, who hires the Solicotor, who can replace him or her, and who serves at his pleasure, Brown. Rosati's lawyer wouldn't cancel so who cancel's? Some one who tells the Appeals Board Solicotor, cancel, cancel, and cancel.

108 PAC said...

I've just spoken with Jim Gregory on the phone who got to know all parties involved during his 2013 stay, he says Rosati has a heart of gold but seemed wound too gift most of the time and that he could benefit from this time away to restore his faith in Jesus Christ as lord and savior.

Gregory likes Madame x's wild side and reminisced about other inmates creating fi-fi's in her visage, and crafting erotic short stories featuring her as the protagonist. This should be settled internally and not in Bernie's bottom of the barrel barf bag.

Anonymous said...

Ok...108 PAC...What? Are you that much of a moron? I know both parties. Very well. It is a shame it came to this. One thing..KY needed to go. JR needs his day in county. The person that removed him should have never been placed into her position, even if she was appointed by Brown. She should have been researched for her financial problems. The COUNTY investigates Corrections personal financial issues and if it looks out of control , they will not be hired. So how did Allen skate? KY , If she was not checked (obviously)... She should go . As for JR, My hope is he should go after Allen for every penny she has left. (Which is none) #30+1.