Woodstock Supervisor Bill McKenna defended a decision to hire a maintenance department worker convicted of sexually abusing an unconscious woman and filming it, saying everyone deserves a second chance.
The Town Board approved hiring Michael Innello as a part-time laborer for the Office of the Town Custodian, essentially the maintenance department, on March 11, for $21.35 per hour. He was then promoted, with town board approval, to full-time status on June 10.
Innello, 31, was convicted September 9, 2020, of one count of first-degree sexual abuse of a person incapable of consent, a Class D felony; and one count of possessing sexual performance by a child younger than 16, a Class E felony. He was sentenced to five years in state prison.
Innello is designated a Level 3 sex offender, which is the highest risk based on the likelihood of reoffending.
McKenna said he believes everyone deserves a second chance and was well aware of the circumstances behind Innello’s arrest and conviction.
In 2014, the town passed a resolution to “ban the box” as part of a movement to remove a checkbox on job applications about a potential employee’s criminal history until after a conditional job offer is made.
“We had a very open, honest conversation,” said McKenna, who noted he also spoke with Innello’s parole officer.
“He paid his debt to society. He’s been an incredible worker. He’s pleasant, polite and hard-working and he’s had no issues,” McKenna said.
“Woodstock is very big about second chances and giving people an opportunity for redemption.”
His tasks include mowing grass and picking up garbage, so he is not in close contact with people as part of his job, according to McKenna, who noted Innello’s colleagues have become quite fond of him.
“I’m proud to have given this individual an opportunity to get his life on track,” McKenna said.
One of the conditions of Innello’s parole is that he cannot have contact with minors. McKenna gave assurances Innello’s work does not put him in proximity to participants in the town’s summer camp.
While the Town Board must approve the hiring of all employees, it was not notified of Innello’s past, a point of contention for at least one council member.
“I was not informed that the individual being considered for hire had a Level 3 criminal sexual offense history. That decision was made without the knowledge or consent of the Town Board,” said Anula Courtis, Democratic nominee for town supervisor.
“The Town Board is elected by the people of Woodstock to protect this town and the people in it. Withholding critical information from us undermines our ability to fulfill that duty, and violates the public’s trust.”
While fully supporting the rights of individuals with prior convictions to be considered for employment, Courtis said transparency must be included.
“The Town Board must be empowered with the facts to make choices that responsibly balance compassion with public safety,” she said.
“As Town Supervisor, I will lead with compassion, but never at the expense of safety, accountability, transparency, or trust. Woodstock deserves nothing less.”
McKenna said the Town Board is not given every detail of every potential employee’s history.
“I made a calculated decision that people should get to know him before they started to judge him for things in his past,” McKenna said.
Michael Veitch, a longtime advocate for survivors of priest child sexual abuse, said one of the failings of the Catholic Church and others was failure to disclose the presence of known pedophiles to parents. He has prepared a draft document to send every parent whose child may come in contact with Innello.
“I recommend the board make a statement to the press regarding this individual and postings to social media,” Veitch said to the Town Board on July 8.
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