Clarkstown Town Board Terminates Savino’s Contract

The Clarkstown Town Board reacted to charges filed by the U.S. District Attorney against Joseph Savino by immediately terminating Savino’s contract for tax certiorari services for the town. The vote at the special meeting held late Tuesday morning was unanimous.  

The board members met in executive session to discuss the continued retention of Savino’s law firm to represent the town in tax certiorari matters following the earlier announcement of conspiracy to bribe and wire fraud charges filed against Savino, the Bronx Republican Party chair. 

Town Attorney Amy Mele said board members acted because they felt the firm would not be able to fulfill its contractual obligation and that her office will cover pending court appearances until replacement counsel is found. 

When questioned about a town resident’s plan to ask for his resignation because of the controversy about Savino’s hiring, Supervisor Alex Gromack said he would not consider doing that.

“Absolutely not, I did nothing wrong,” said Gromack.

The town board retained Savino’s White Plains firm in January 2012 and renewed the contract for tax cert services for another year in December 2012.

Gromack said that request was “politics as usual” from a small group of people who regularly attend town board meeting. He said the town board’s vote showed decisively it plans to move forward.

“We moved forward and we acted swiftly and in unison,” said Gromack. “From my point of view this closes the chapter with the vote.”

The board members issued a brief release about the action they took but would not comment specifically on the charges or arrest. 

(New City, NY) On April 2, 2013, the Clarkstown Town Board held a special Town Board meeting to discuss the continued retention of the Law Office of Joseph J. Savino to represent the Town in tax certiorari matters, in light of the recent charges filed against Mr. Savino. 

After a brief executive session, the Town Board unanimously voted to terminate the contract, effective immediately. The Town Board expressed that the firm would not be able to fulfill its contractual obligation to the Town under the present circumstances. 

For the time being, the Town Attorney’s Office will cover pending court appearances while replacement counsel is sought.