WGXC-90.7 FM
Albany County officials settle with whistleblower
Sep 29, 2020 6:16 am
Noah Zweifel reports for the Altamont Enterprise that a $95,000 settlement has largely put to rest a lawsuit filed by Keri Kresler against Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy and other county officials. The suit alleged retaliation against her for her private political advocacy, and that she was fired after whistleblowing to then-County Comptroller Michael Conners. Kresler's suit against Albany County itself remains, but she settled with McCoy, Albany County Board of Elections County Democratic Commissioner Matthew Clyne, Albany County Director of Human Resources Jennifer Clement, and the county’s board of elections. Kresler alleged that she fell out with McCoy after backing candidates he did not favor. She said that got her a reassignment to another county department, and a salary reduction. After that she told Conners about Albany County employees with “no-show” and “low-show” jobs. An audit report released last year revealed payroll fraud, campaign work done by county workers on county time and in county offices, and other misconduct. But in September nearly all the county legislature’s Democrats — who outnumber Republicans 30-to-9 — voted against a resolution to stop campaign work on county time. Read more about this story in the Altamont Enterprise.