Residents Speak Out about Gender Discrimination Case

Tuesday night the town council meeting opened up with what was supposed to be a budget hearing for the next fiscal year, but they heard more reaction about the gender discrimination case between the Town of Winthrop, Police Chief Terence Delehanty and Officer Judy Racow.

After the meeting Council President Ron Vecchia said the town is appealing the jury’s decision and is also working on the possibility of settling the case out of court.

A Suffolk County Superior Court Judge and jury found in favor and have awarded damages of just over $2.3 million to a Racow who filed a discrimination case against the town and its police chief.

Now, town officials and residents wonder about the impact on the town budget.

“This budget comes amidst tight financial times for the town, a large sexual (sic: gender) discrimination judgment recently awarded against the town,”

Resident Chris Aiello said. “The council recently issued a statement on discrimination, but that only echoes what is in the town charter. The statement rings empty with consequences for such actions. When the council make continued public statements of support for the person most responsible for the judgment, the council’s statement seems meaningless.”

Then he asked if the town rewarded bad behavior and would there be consequences for “sexual discrimination in Winthrop?”

Resident Joe Aiello called Delehanty’s performance “abominable”

It doesn’t seem there have been consequences, or that you’ve read the employee handbook, or the Racow file “because if you had you would have taken action.”

In the town’s Personnel Guidelines there is a Code of Conduct for Public Employees, a Code of Ethics, there is also a “sexual” harassment policy. It is unclear what a “gender” discrimination case would fall under.

“You are living in a fairy tale,” Joe Aiello said.

Resident Lisa Albergini, who has been involved in several town projects said she could no longer stay silent about the legal case. She said the silence is getting louder and there is a clear pattern of employment discrimination.

“Please issue a statement on zero tolerance,” she asked.

Delehanty was offered the Town Manager position but declined. He remains the Police Chief.