NEWS
The Second Report Ethington Gave Job to Conservative Party Chair after Changing Civil Service Listing Illegally, Husband then Received Conservative Party Nomination for Sheriff
There is an entire section of the second portion of the Fitzmaurice Report that seems to confirm what rumors around the County Civil Service seemed to imply. Cassandra Ethington appeared to exchange a civil service job in exchange for a political favor.
Two of the three custodians at the County DPW felt that the job description for the custodial supervisor's role had been changed to prevent them from getting the job.
William Hanson, the head of the Schoharie County Conservative Party was interviewed. His name was redacted in some portions of the Report, but his last name appeared unredacted in another part of the Report discussing the case.
Cassandra Ethington is also a member of the Conservative Party and worked with Hanson in 2009 to help elect Tony Desmond Sheriff. Hanson said that it was "his sole decision" to nominate Desmond for the line.
In early 2011, Hanson emailed Ethington asking: "did you find me a job yet?" Three days later he repeated the question.
Another woman was recommended for the job as head cleaner but former DPW head Tom Fignani said, "Yeah but Cassandra wants Bill Hanson." Ethington asked for Hanson to receive the job to which a redacted employee said that Hanson was part of a group "bullying their way in."
Ethington allegedly changed the job descriptions to exclude other candidates and force Mr. Hanson into the job.
When interviewed by Fitzmaurice and Walsh about his hiring by Mrs. Ethington, Hanson responded with "where does the politics stop and the discrimination start?" He repeated it a second time.
Hanson was interviewed another time with a union rep. This time when asked whether Cassandra Ethington helped get him his job illegally he just said, "Goodbye" and left.
Hanson told interviewers that he had read about the job description on the County website. When asked if Ethington told him about it-- he said "No." Meanwhile, his application for the job came in four full months before they were even requested on the County website. On his application he checked the box that he heard about the job from "FRIEND OR FAMILY."
Ethington then refused an interview by investigators on the subject.
Earlier this year Ethington's husband Todd received Bill Hanson's support and the Conservative Party's line on the ballot Tuesday.
Two of the three custodians at the County DPW felt that the job description for the custodial supervisor's role had been changed to prevent them from getting the job.
William Hanson, the head of the Schoharie County Conservative Party was interviewed. His name was redacted in some portions of the Report, but his last name appeared unredacted in another part of the Report discussing the case.
Cassandra Ethington is also a member of the Conservative Party and worked with Hanson in 2009 to help elect Tony Desmond Sheriff. Hanson said that it was "his sole decision" to nominate Desmond for the line.
In early 2011, Hanson emailed Ethington asking: "did you find me a job yet?" Three days later he repeated the question.
Another woman was recommended for the job as head cleaner but former DPW head Tom Fignani said, "Yeah but Cassandra wants Bill Hanson." Ethington asked for Hanson to receive the job to which a redacted employee said that Hanson was part of a group "bullying their way in."
Ethington allegedly changed the job descriptions to exclude other candidates and force Mr. Hanson into the job.
When interviewed by Fitzmaurice and Walsh about his hiring by Mrs. Ethington, Hanson responded with "where does the politics stop and the discrimination start?" He repeated it a second time.
Hanson was interviewed another time with a union rep. This time when asked whether Cassandra Ethington helped get him his job illegally he just said, "Goodbye" and left.
Hanson told interviewers that he had read about the job description on the County website. When asked if Ethington told him about it-- he said "No." Meanwhile, his application for the job came in four full months before they were even requested on the County website. On his application he checked the box that he heard about the job from "FRIEND OR FAMILY."
Ethington then refused an interview by investigators on the subject.
Earlier this year Ethington's husband Todd received Bill Hanson's support and the Conservative Party's line on the ballot Tuesday.