The case against embattled county Personnel Officer Cassandra Ethington is scheduled to be on display in the Schoharie County Courthouse next week.
Ms. Ethington was suspended with pay after a lengthy report last year found evidence of alleged harassment. Four charges were leveled against her. The hearing will determine whether she is "guilty" of these charges with the penalty being dismissal.
Attorneys from both sides will have the right to call witnesses and cross-examine witness from the other side. Hearsay is admissible, according to County Attorney Michael West, who is not handling the case for the county. The county has hired Michael McDermott of Albany to be the prosecuting attorney. The attorney for Ms. Ethington is Ron Dunn of Albany, who also represented former county Health Director Katie Strack.
The members of the Board of Supervisors will be the jury for the case and will make the final decision.
The hearing is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday starting each night at 6pm in the County Courtroom in the courthouse.
Though it is slated for three evenings, there is a possibility that it could go much longer, Mr. West added.
There is a possibility that there could be a settlement before the administrative hearing begins, he said.
"I don't know if there are settlement discussions," Mr. West added, but, "if there was a settlement it would be final and you know what you get."
The longer a hearing goes, he noted, the more the expenses for both sides.
Mr. West has told the attorneys for both sides that he wants a list of witnesses to be called so the procedure can be orderly.