Letters

In response to Jesse Warren’s spokesperson’s Letter to the Editor regarding Kagel-Betts v. Warren and Southampton Village [“Politically Motivated,” Letters, February 1]:

The dismissal of our client’s case does not at all show that the action brought by former Southampton Village Administrator Charlene Kagel-Betts was politically motivated. Despite the detailed record of harassment, retaliation, bullying and slander by Jesse Warren, we believe the court mistakenly found that our client, in sum and substance, suffered no injuries.

We expect the decision to be reversed. Our client has been damaged emotionally, reputationally, professionally and financially. She has been demonized by Jesse Warren as the cause of his demise. In fact, Warren’s inappropriate conduct led to his demise.

Warren ducks responsibility for his conduct toward many women who worked for the village. Warren’s conduct placed the village at financial risk.

Ms. Kagel-Betts obtained no benefit financially, politically, professionally or personally by bringing her suit. Regrettably, the village failed to protect and defend her from Warren’s inappropriate conduct while observing firsthand his actions. The village chose to oppose her lawsuit while observing the adverse impact of Warren’s behavior upon her.

Ms. Kagel-Betts sought to leave many times, as Warren’s hostile reign impacted her health and ability to do her job without obstruction. But the village’s leadership asked her to stay, because they needed her expertise. She agreed to stay and assist with the transition to a new village administrator and treasurer. No good deed goes unpunished.

Ms. Kagel-Betts is a well-respected municipal finance expert who was just doing her job — very well. It is time that Jesse Warren and the village take responsibility for what Ms. Kagel-Betts has endured and continues to endure via Warren’s unrelenting hostile temper tantrums.

To the village’s detriment, it has lost a skilled administrator with decades of public sector leadership and municipal finance and budgeting experience.

Present and future village employees, beware of Warren’s pattern of tearing people down. You may be next. As Warren’s spokesperson stated, the village should emphasize integrity. The village has suffered a loss because of Ms. Kagel-Betts’s resignation and the village’s failure to stop Warren’s misbehavior toward her.

Charlene Kagel-Betts is committed to proving her case while holding Warren accountable.

Stanley Chinitz

Law Offices of Stanley Chinitz

Regina Calcaterra

Calcaterra Law PC