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Goldberg Out As North Castle Administrator

ARMONK, N.Y. -- North Castle Town Administrator Joan Goldberg was suddenly fired last week amid allegations of bullying.

The North Castle Town Board voted 3-2 to fire Town Administrator Joan Goldberg.

The North Castle Town Board voted 3-2 to fire Town Administrator Joan Goldberg.

Photo Credit: File Photo

The North Castle Town Board voted 3-2 to fire Goldberg "without cause," 16 months after she was hired. Supervisor Howard Arden and council members Diane Didonato-Roth and John Cronin, who voted for the firing, were not re-elected and will be leaving office next week.

Jason Berland, husband and lawyer of Comptroller Faith Berland, said Goldberg was a bully who discriminated against female employees and invaded employees' privacy.

"The entire board knew for quite some time she was committing illegalities and misconduct," Berland said. "They chose to turn a blind eye. At the 11th hour, they had the courage to do the right thing."

Berland said he might file a lawsuit against Goldberg. Berland claims that Goldberg told a human resources representative to fire an employee who she found out was pregnant.

"She was different with women than with men," Berland said. "She had a threatening physical demeanor. She would scream and pound her fist on the desk."

Berland said Goldberg once took a police car without proper permission on a trip to Buffalo. He  thinks the town board waited so long to fire Goldberg because it was an election year.

"My client is relieved the bully is no longer in town hall," Berland said. "Employees can go back to doing what they love."

In a story in The Examiner, Goldberg denied the allegations, saying the town is protecting an employee who has not lived up to standards. Goldberg told The Examiner she was considering legal action against the town.

Supervisor-elect and current councilman Michael Schiliro voted against firing Goldberg.

"I didn't agree with the decision to release her without cause," Schiliro said. "They stated publicly they had no reason to get rid of her. I don't agree with relieving a person from their position without a reason."

Berland said if the new board hires back Goldberg, there will be dire consequences.

"She was terminated for a good reason," Berland said. 

Goldberg, who had a $135,000 a year salary, will be paid $70,000 as part of a severance package.

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