No end in sight for Ethington hearing

7/15/2014

By David Avitabile

No end in sight for Ethington hearing

The case against embattled county Personnel Officer Cassie Ethington will stretch into a second week with no end yet in sight and a half-filled jury box in the Schoharie County Courthouse.
The county's attorney called three witnesses last week in the first three days of the hearing against Ms. Ethington. The hearing has been adjourned until the evening of Tuesday, July 22. It is not known how many more days the hearing will last before a decision is rendered.
Ms. Ethington was suspended with pay last year after a lengthy report found evidence of alleged harassment. Four charges were levied against her. The hearing will determine whether she is "guilty" of these charges with the penalty being dismissal.
The decision will be made by eight supervisors who remain as "the jurors."
Seven supervisors were dismissed during the first day of the hearing, last Tuesday, since they may be called as witnesses. Those supervisors are Harold Vroman of Summit, Sandra Manko of Sharon, Richard Lape of Richmondville, Larry Bradt of Carlisle, Gene Milone of Schoharie, Phil Skowfoe of Fulton, and Carl Barbic of Seward. Jefferson Supervisor Sean Jordan was excused on Wednesday since he had a lawsuit against the county when he was let go when he worked in the planning department.
A simple majority of the remaining supervisors will determine whether to dismiss Ms. Ethington, according to board Chairman Tony VanGlad, who has been serving as "judge" for the hearing. It is possible, with an even number of supervisors, that the decision could be deadlocked at 4-4.
The hearing is scheduled to reconvene from 6 to 9pm on July 22.
County Attorney Mike West, who has been excused for the hearing because he may be called as a witness, does not know how much longer the hearing will last. He does expect the case to be turned over to the defense pretty quickly after the hearing continues.
Both Mr. West and Mr. VanGlad were surprised that the hearing has lasted past the allotted three days.
"We're all surprised," Mr. VanGlad said.
A case like this cannot be rushed, Mr. VanGlad explained.
"We want to be thorough and make sure it's done right so we don't have to do it again."
Thus far, the only charge addressed against Ms. Ethington is that she withheld relevant material from county labor attorney Mary Roach. Ms. Ethington has denied this charge.
Ms. Roach was on the witness for the first two days of the hearing.
Near the end of the third day of evidence, the county presented an employment status form allegedly initialized by Ms. Ethington stating that she was head of the health department. It was stated in the report last year that she could not hold that position since she did not have the required certifications.