Town supervisor Bill McKenna has confirmed that embattled part-time Woodstock police officer Phil Sinagra has been reporting since August to McKenna’s office at 45 Comeau Drive on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekly to sit at a desk and do nothing.
Sinagra’s demeanor is pleasant, and the two exchange greetings, McKenna reported.
Sinagra is not permitted to go to the police station at any time. He does not carry a badge or gun and does not perform any duties.
The Daily Freeman erroneously reported Sinagra is going to town hall, causing some uproar on social media, with people saying the officer shouldn’t be in contact with the people who complained about him. Town hall houses the police station, courtroom and court offices. The town offices are in a separate building on Comeau Drive.
This requirement to report to work is the first since being placed on paid administrative leave in May 2023.
Since the town is required to pay Sinagra, McKenna said that he began to insist the officer come to work. The supervisor said he wishes he could give Sinagra some administrative work, but there is no provision in the union contract permitting that.
McKenna has come under criticism from councilmember Bennet Ratcliff, who has called for Sinagra’s immediate firing. McKenna claimed it wasn’t that simple.
“I can’t just fire him,” McKenna said. “There is a process where he is afforded a hearing.”
Sinagra’s attorney has discussed a separation agreement in lieu of termination, which has delayed the process, McKenna said. The hearing has not yet been scheduled. McKenna was hopeful it will be held some time at the beginning of 2025. Until then, Sinagra will continue to report weekly to the supervisor’s office.
“Bennet [Ratcliff] gets it in his head the supervisor can just do things,” McKenna said.
Ratcliff has pointed out that officer Anthony Schleuderer was terminated via email. McKenna said that was a different scenario. Schleuderer presented a letter from his doctor stating he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He was asked to resign or he would be fired because he could no longer meet the physical requirements of the job of a police officer. Schleuderer is now suing the town, claiming he was not given accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Sinagra is accused of creating a hostile work environment through sexually and racially charged and threatening comments. Two officers and a former dispatcher have filed a federal lawsuit seeking monetary damages against Sinagra, the police department, chief Clayton Keefe and the town.
The lawsuit alleged one of the officers, Tiffany Croizer, “has been subjected to a long-term pervasive pattern of discrimination based on sex.” Sinagra is also alleged to have made sexual and threatening comments to officer Gabrielle LaLima since 2021.
Sinagra has denied the allegations.
Neither Sinagra nor Ratcliff returned messages seeking comment.
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