Exclusive: Workplace probe finds allegations by 3 women against ex-City of Newburgh police chief ‘not supported’
Chief Anthony Geraci left the department in May for a top security job with Newburgh schools. He says the unfounded accusations are part of a smear campaign.
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News 12 is learning more about workplace accusations made by three women against the City of Newburgh’s former police chief before he left the department for a job with the school district.
The female department members accuse former Chief Anthony Geraci of gender discrimination, retaliation and creating a hostile work environment.
One woman sums up her complaints in the report by calling him an “arrogant narcissist who has a problem with women.”
Another accuses the former chief of unfairly assigning work and tasks based on gender, like taking notes and cleaning, and claims Geraci retaliated against her by changing her schedule for filing the complaint.
Six other department members, who were both male and female, and Geraci were interviewed during the independent probe which ultimately found in March that the allegations were “not supported.”
Residents News 12 spoke to say both the womens’ claims and the findings are a concern.
“A lot of times when women come forward, they’re telling the truth and if it is true and get away with it, that’s not right,” says Kenneth Hayes.
“I don’t trust the system. The politicians, police chiefs, none of that. I don’t trust them,” says Alonzo Lenier.
Geraci left the department in May for a top security job with Newburgh schools. He says the unfounded accusations are part of a smear campaign.
“This investigation was closed prior to my departure from the police department,” says Geraci. “The fact that unfounded accusations (determined by an independent investigator) are now newsworthy feels retaliatory in an effort to defame my reputation and tarnish my character.”
News 12 received multiple reports of the investigation during the probe, which began last November, but was not able to confirm the information until recently when the internal report was obtained by News 12 through a written request under the Freedom of Information Act.
City officials and the Newburgh Enlarged City School District did not respond to requests for comment.
