Disgraced former Queens Library President and CEO Thomas Galante reportedly may sue the Library’s Board of Trustees for firing him last Wednesday night. File Photo
Ousted former Queens Library President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Galante may sue the Board of Trustees that fired him last week, according to a Daily News story.
The 19-member Board last Wednesday night voted unanimously to ax Galante, 54, who pulled down $392,000 per year, reportedly after reviewing his expense accounts. Galante, according to the News, charged more than $40,000 in food, alcohol and entertainment at restaurants, casinos and liquor stores, among other things, to his library corporate credit card.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said that Wedneday’s vote “further restores public faith and trust in the management of the Queens Library,” adding that the newly constructed Board is moving in a more positive direction.
“Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and the dark days of this saga are finally behind us,” Katz continued. “Now the Library can refocus full energy back to where it matters most: our families—especially children and seniors—who rely on its services and deserve nothing less than a world-class library system.I commend the Trustees for fulfilling the tremendous responsibility and commitment that comes with their appointments. They have done an excellent job of making sure the Library is on the path of good governance and the highest standards of fiscal accountability, including opening up its books to city auditors and starting construction on long-delayed branch renovations. Also, I extend deep appreciation to the dedicated staff and volunteers in each branch who kept the day-to-day going even when all else was in flux.”
Earlier this year, the Board approved a motion that placed Galante on indefinite paid administrative leave pending the results of a financial audit and criminal probes on the federal and city levels, after several scathing published reports detailed his hefty six-figure salary and questionable spending practices.
In October, city Comptroller Scott Stringer ripped Galante and former board members for what he characterized as “a substantial number of questionable” and “disturbing expenditures,” including tickets to a Maroon 5 concert totaling $1,962.95 for the purpose of “employee appreciation”; a Mookie Wilson/Bill Buckner autograph costing $235 for “president’s office decoration”; a Mahogany Carleton desk from England priced between $2,000 and $3,275; multiple charges for room service, guest rooms, minibar items, “sky lounge” purchases, snacks and movies for CEO and president during out-of-town travel; charges for at least 60 outings for meals at restaurants reported as work meetings were attended only by internal Library staff; and dinners for trustees, including some senior management occurring at least once a month, generally following board meetings, costing an average of approximately $1,000 each, including charges for numerous cocktails and wines and expensive entrees, including filet mignon, porterhouse steaks and soft-shell crab, with similar frequent dinners paid for by the Library in preceding years.
Bridget Quinn-Carey, the current executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Library, is serving as its interim president and CEO. She introduced herself to Queens residents last week in a letter published in The Forum.
By Michael V. Cusenza
