PLEASANT VALLEY – A town board member in Pleasant Valley is the subject of several complaints by a fellow board member and town employees. Councilman John DelVecchio, who is running for town supervisor, has two ethics complaints and five charges of workplace violence pending against him.
Councilman Frank Mazzella has lodged two ethics complaints with the town attorneys, claiming that DelVecchio has violated government rules regarding Town of Pleasant Valley “executive sessions.” The law says that town board members and invited guests that take part in an executive session are sworn to secrecy regarding the topics discussed. Mazzella is asserting that DelVecchio has breached that rule on at least two occasions.
The complaints, according to Mazzella, allege that on two occasions, DelVecchio has repeated executive session conversations with town residents who were not in the session. In one instance, it is claimed that a town resident was the subject of an executive session regarding employee safety in town hall. DelVecchio is said to have met with the resident shortly after the meeting and relayed the testimony of several town employees who were in the meeting.
“I filed my original complaint because I was told multiple times by multiple people that my colleague on the board was giving them information from our town board’s executive session. I can’t comment on the content but will say they knew exactly what was said and by whom,” said Mazzella, adding “I find it disgraceful to see someone working so hard against a town that he is supposed to serve.”
Five employees of the town have filed “workplace violence” complaints against DelVecchio, pursuant to the guidelines in the employee handbook. One complainant, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear for retribution, said DelVecchio’s actions have jeopardized the safety of several employees. “He went and told the person that we testified about in executive session everything we said. He violated the law and has put us at risk.”
When asked about the ethics charges, DelVecchio told Mid-Hudson News that the complaints were “juvenile political games,” and declined to answer a follow-up question.
