Exeter’s legal costs poised to top $100k in Leonard Galli’s termination
By Jerry Lynott, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Borough council suspended Galli from his post as a police sergeant in February following allegations that he misused a workplace computer. After a court battle, Galli was terminated in July.
"I'm well aware of it," Galli said Wednesday.
As of the end of May, the borough had paid the
Bills for subsequent months, which have not yet been released, could push the total over the
The borough for 2014 budgeted
By the time it's over, the borough's legal bill could reach a half million dollars, he estimated.
"I don't know where the borough is going to get the money," Galli said. "
Background
In an interview, Galli, 47, also accused councilmen
They voted to hire
None of those allegations involved criminal behavior.
"I'm not the only one," Galli said of viewing pornography at work.
Messages left with Shannon, Esposito and Turner and Mayor
Galli said he was prepared to accept the terms of a draft settlement agreement that included a
But, according to a document filed by the borough in the case, Galli rejected the deal after the borough sought to include references to his conduct. The borough then proceeded with its investigation.
The councilmen's actions are bankrupting the borough, Galli said. "They're using taxpayers' money because it's easy to spend other people's money."
"If they're so right and they lose, they should pay the taxpayers back," he said.
Solicitor's response
Earlier in the year the firm was hired for "labor and employment matters that may arise from time to time," according to minutes from a
Borough solicitor
Hassey said the work could include the police contract negotiations. When asked what other matters the firm is handling besides the Galli case, Hassey said: "I'm not aware there are any."
Attorney
"I represent a lot of municipalities in labor and employment matters, so that is why I'm sure they hired me," he said.
Council will hold its next regularly scheduled monthly meeting at
History repeated?
The legal fees were smaller when the borough fired Galli -- then rehired him -- after an arbitrator ruled in his favor in 1998.
The borough terminated Galli in
Galli on Wednesday reiterated the argument he made in the prior dismissal, namely that his record was clean. With 29 years experience as a police officer there is "nothing in my disciplinary jacket," he said.
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