By Bill Parry
Thomas Galante will not go quietly. The disgraced former president and chief executive officer of Queens Library is planning to sue the board of trustees for firing him this week.
Galante’s lawyer said he was wrongfully terminated by the board Dec. 16. Attorney Hillary Zilz Prudlo would not say if Galante would demand to be reinstated to his post or seek a financial settlement.
She did say that Galante, who devoted 27 years of his professional career to the Queens Library, was disappointed by the action of the newly reconstituted board.
“For the past year Mr. Galante has been under constant attack in press accounts that have been based on inappropriate comments about and leaks of library information,” Prudlo wrote in a statement. “Because of his integrity and respect for the Library as an institution, Tom has chosen not to respond in the press. When he does speak publicly, it will be in a forum that values the truth and not the half-truths and distortions that so far have monopolized the press accounts.”
The board voted unanimously to dismiss Galante, who is being investigated by the FBI, federal prosecutors and the city Department of Investigations for alleged misuse of funds.
The vote was made by a show of hands in a tense meeting in a conference room at Jamaica Central Library late Dec. 16.
An argument among trustees broke out soon after the vote and reporters were escorted from the room as the board returned to executive session behind closed doors.
“This evening the board of trustees heard a report by counsel,” the board said in a statement. “Based on that and a prior report by counsel, a decision was made to terminate immediately Mr. Galante’s employment. As the library moves forward, the board of trustees will continue working to ensure greater transparency and the proper administration of the library and its funds in furtherance of its mission. Queens Library will continue to provide outstanding value to the people of Queens.”
Galante had been placed on indefinite leave in September, after his alleged misuse of funds came to light, but he was still being paid his $392,000 salary. Galante’s dismissal came after the trustees reviewed his expense accounts.
Borough President Melinda Katz, who used the power of her office to oust several rogue trustees from the board in July, said the day of the vote “Tonight’s action further restores faith and trust in the management of the Queens Library. The reformed board of trustees continues to move the library in the right direction consistent with its educational purpose. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and the dark days of this saga are finally behind us.”
Mayor de Blasio joined Katz in removing eight trustees from the library board.
Katz saluted the library’s staff and volunteers in each branch who “kept the day-to-day going even when all else was in flux.”
State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) worked with Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry (D-Corona) to craft and pass legislation to rein in the excesses and provide a long-term blueprint for an efficient, transparent and accountable library system. Gov. Cuomo signed the Gianaris/Aubry bill into law in June.
“The board’s removal of Mr. Galante is an important step towards righting the ship of the Queens Library system and moving it towards a brighter future,” Gianaris said. “I am proud to have sponsored the new law that made this progress possible for a treasured institution that temporarily lost its way. I look forward to the day when Queens residents can again be proud of our libraries, and today we are one step closer.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4538.
