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General News: Former Treasurer Sues Village
August 16, 2011
The village of Cornwall-on-Hudson is facing a lawsuit from its former treasurer, who claims that he was wrongfully terminated from his position earlier this year.
Stephen Affredou did not get reappointed to the position of treasurer in April, following the election of Brendan Coyne as mayor. He had been appointed to the position a year earlier by former mayor Joseph Gross. Gross and current trustee Barbara Gosda both provided affidavits in support of the Article 78 filed in Orange County Supreme Court last month.
On Monday, the village board approved hiring the law firm of Tarshis, Catania, Liberth, Mahon and Milligram, PLLC to represent it in the case, which is scheduled for a court hearing on August 29. Auffredou is represented by the firm of Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes. Martin Auffredou, a partner with the firm and the brother of the plaintiff, said that Stephen Auffredou is seeking re-instatement as the village treasurer.
Village mayor Brendan Coyne said he couldn’t comment on the case. “I don’t know if it would be helpful. We will see what the courts determine,” he said.
Trustee Gosda, who recused herself from discussion of the lawsuit at Monday’s board of trustees meeting, said that she can’t comment either. Asked why she became involved in a lawsuit that could potentially cost the village more money for litigation, Trustee Gosda explained that by filing an affidavit she could avoid the cost of making a similar statement in a deposition overseen by lawyers. “I could either make a statement now or be deposed because I was on the board,” she said in a phone interview. Former Mayor Gross did not return a call for comment.
Comments:
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Wait just a minute!
Wasn't Steve Auffredou placed in the Treasurer's position to finish the term of the previously appointed individual who resigned before the end of the two year term? I believe that was Jennifer Brown but I am not certain. If that is the case, then Aufferdou's term ended when that individual?s term ended. The new Mayor and New Board at the reorganization meeting had the right to keep him or let him go. The same could be said for Dave Halvorsen, Bob June and Jeanne Mahoney. They were reappointed he was not. These are appointed positions, not guaranteed. >From what I am reading here, Mrs. Gosda is taking a stance against the Village she was elected to serve! Wow! Additionally, from what this article states, and I have no reason not to believe it, Mrs. Gosda gave her affidavit last month, which clearly shows she possessed prior knowledge of Mr. Aufferdou's lawsuit before it commenced. Why else would she have done it? Double Wow!
posted by David DeFreest on 08/16/11 at 8:24 PM
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Woah!
Jennifer Brown was a PART TIME treasurer. Stephen was full time. How is that a continuation of the term?
The board knew that he was going to sue soon after he was fired. I have been to almost all the meetings for 4 years and filmed the meetings for the village for a long long time. I have never seen you at a meeting other than our dialauge. Lets make it clear the Mayor cleaned house (fired the treasurer and the cheif). This is fallout from that.
posted by Andrew Argenio on 08/17/11 at 9:13 AM
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"General duties of trustees
Trustees[1] have certain duties (some of which are fiduciary). These include the duty to:
* Carry out the expressed terms of the trust instrument
* Defend the trust
* Prudently invest trust assets
* Be impartial among beneficiaries
* Account for actions and keep beneficiaries informed
* Be loyal
* Not delegate
* Not profit
* Not be in a conflict of interest position
* Administer in the best interest of the beneficiaries"
How can a trustee support a law suit against the village he/she represents?
posted by Vishwa Chaudhry on 08/23/11 at 5:45 PM
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