Sparta library employee files suit against town, library
By Nathan Mayberg
Sparta — A 10-year Sparta Township Public Library employee has sued the town, the library and its director over what she has alleged is retaliation for having complained about the director's ethical behavior.
Patricia McCormick claims in her lawsuit, filed in State Superior Court last month by her attorney George Daggett, that she was demoted from being a full-time senior library assistant to a part-time employee by library director Carol Boutilier after raising her concerns.
According to the lawsuit, McCormick raised her complaints with the mayor, town council and library board about Boutilier in February 2013.
Boutilier declined to comment when reached by phone this week.
Among the complaints in the suit was that Boutilier was arranging work schedules and compensatory time through favoritism based on those who did personal errands for her.
McCormick also alleged that Boutilier directed employees to falsify timesheets. There is no record keeping procedures for cash funds.
According to McCormick, the library has sold its books to cash4books.net in the name of Boutilier from her own address with checks payable to her.
In addition, McCormick claimed that other employees were given chances to make up lost summer hours when the library was closed on Sundays, something she was never afforded.
Boutilier allegedly used her position at the library to obtain annual passes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the New York Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo rather than make them available to patrons. When some of the providers learned of this, they rescinded the passes, McCormick charged.
After bringing her allegations to the town's political leadership, an investigation headed by the town's attorney was undertaken but found the grievances invalid, according to McCormick.
On January 1, 2014, after the investigation had talen place, McCormick was demoted from being a full-time employee to a part-time employee. No other employees were demoted, according to the suit.
Messages left for township officials were not returned.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, lost wages and counsel fees.
To reach reporter Nathan Mayberg, contact comm.reporter@strausnews.com or call 845-469-9000 ext. 359.