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Ex-Queens Library CEO to sue system

By Madina Toure

Former Queens Library CEO Thomas Galante said he is planning to sue the library for more than $2 million “to set the record straight” after he was ousted from his position in December 2014.

Galante filed the lawsuit in Brooklyn federal court Monday, according to his lawyer, Tom Rohback.

The lawsuit claims that the library had the right to terminate his employment but that it was contractually required to pay him severance of more than $2 million unless it was terminating him “for cause,” according to the lawsuit.

But the library falsely claimed to terminate Galante for a valid cause to avoid paying the severance, the lawsuit claims.

In a statement, Galante said the whole truth will not come out through the media and that the library has been “overrun with a political gang.”

“After giving 27 years of my life to the Queens Library and raising millions of dollars to make it better, the political winds changed overnight and my name was dragged through the mud,” Galante said. “I’m filing this lawsuit to set the record straight.”

Queens Library could not immediately be reached for comment.

In September, Galante was placed on indefinite leave as he was being investigated by the FBI, federal prosecutors and the city Department of Investigation for allegedly misusing funds.

An audit by City Comptroller Scott Stringer uncovered expensive furniture and lavish meals, among other purchases, in his expense accounts.

Rohback said Galante was “tremendously successful” as CEO, noting that the board of directors would unanimously renew his contract on a regular basis.

He also said outside consultants such as Bucks and Hay Group would conduct comparability studies to ensure that he was properly compensated, noting that the board of directors would vote and approve on his compensation.

He attributes Galante’s firing to the change in political leaders, noting that everything changed after Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and Stringer came into office. He also cited extensive Daily News converage of his performance at the library.

The board of directors had the right to terminate Galante’s employment but would have had to pay severance unless they found cause, or a reason to terminate him, he said.

“They didn’t identify what the cause was, what he did wrong,” Rohback said. “Instead, Melinda Katz wanted him placed on leave in April. They refused. In September—with her new board in having replaced those trustees—they removed him but not for cause.”

He also criticized Stringer’s audit, noting that the extravagant dinners were attended by board of trustees after meetings as well as representatives from the offices of the former borough president and the comptroller.

He also refuted claims in Stringer’s audit that the fact that Galante was filling up gasoline cans was fraud, noting that Galante was filling up the cans as part of the library’s relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy.

“Stringer never says that,” he said, referring to the storm.

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Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtoure@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4566.