ALBANY – An investigation regarding the placement of spy cameras in a changing room/workstation at the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge in November of 2020 has been completed. The New York State Inspector General’s Office has found that Tara Sullivan, the former Acting Executive Director of the New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA) violated executive law when she failed to report alleged criminal activity.
Mid-Hudson News reported on the spy camera story when bridge authority employees contacted a reporter. The story can be found HERE.
When confronted about authorizing the cameras in November of 2020, Sullivan said, “There is no investigation by the State Police and there have been no cameras placed at the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge facility where there would be a reasonable expectation of privacy such as a locker room or changing room.” Contrary to Sullivan’s statement, troopers were investigating the cameras and the area was in fact a storage area that had been converted to an office and staff changing area.
During testimony to the Inspector General’s Office, Sullivan said that she had authorized the installation of a camera that did not have audio recording capability, to monitor a workstation where someone had damaged a computer keyboard. When employees discovered the hidden camera, they contacted the State Police, who conducted an investigation into illegal eavesdropping.
According to the Inspector General, the Ulster County District Attorney declined to prosecute Sullivan after being provided evidence from the state police. The Inspector General’s report found that “Sullivan’s authorization of a covert camera to conduct a minor property damage was imprudent.”
The Inspector General sent a letter to Joan McDonald, the chairwoman of the bridge authority board at that time in October advising that “The use of covert cameras at Bridge Authority properties to investigate employee matters should always be a last resort and done after significant consultation with the Bridge Authority Board of Commissioners, general counsel, and executive management.” Sullivan testified that she had discussed the cameras with the attorney for the bridge authority but did not provide any details to the commissioners.
The letter also said, “All potential crimes should be immediately reported to the Inspector General when discovered and prior to the commencement of any internal investigations, and to law enforcement if appropriate under the specific circumstances.”
While the investigation was being conducted, Sullivan resigned from her position as Acting Executive Director on July 15, 2021.
