Greenburgh town leaders mired in controversy over ethics complaint

Greenburgh Planning Board member Hugh Schwartz is accusing the Town Board of taking retaliatory action.

News 12 Staff

Aug 15, 2024, 2:16 AM

Updated 33 days ago

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Controversy is growing between town leaders in Greenburgh after an ethics complaint was filed against some Town Board members.
Greenburgh Planning Board member Hugh Schwartz is accusing the Town Board of taking retaliatory action.
He says it started earlier this year when he and two other planning board members started an organization aimed at getting grant money to build affordable housing in the county.
However, some members of the board were concerned over a conflict of interest.
Schwartz claims the Town Board says he is no longer qualified to be on the planning board.
"I've done this out of love for over 21 years, I would be very sad to leave this. I hope I don't have to, I think it would be a mistake from the town board but it is what it is,” says Schwartz.
Schwartz has since resigned from the planning board.
Dylan Pyne was appointed to fill Schwartz's seat.
Town Supervisor Paul Feiner sought to delay the date that Pyne would start but that was rejected.
The office of the town attorney released a statement that says in part, "On behalf of the town council and town attorney: The ethics complaint filed against four town council members and the town attorney contains numerous factual inaccuracies; shares opinions, speculation and conspiracy theories disguised as fact. It is unfortunate that we must take time to rebut this frivolous complaint but intend to do so to our fullest capabilities."
Schwartz responded to the statement from the town attorney.
It says in part, "I can assure you the facts in the complaint are accurate. Whether or not it rises to the level where the Board of Ethics feels it necessary to find retaliation is a matter of judgement left to the Board Ethics."