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Inspector: K'hook pol engaged in 'improper activities'
State office alleges board member had conflict of interest
By Paul Crossman
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
The office of state Inpsector General Joseph Fisch alleges that Mary Kramarchyk improperly engaged in political activities because she works for the state in a position partly funded by the federal government, while sitting on the Kinderhook Town Board.
A report dated Sept. 10 alleges she violated the federal Hatch Act. But Kramarchyk, of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, says she did not know her actions were against the law.
The investigation began after the IG’s office received a complaint from a confidential source in July, 2008.
Kramarchyk also allegedly violated the New York State Public Officer’s Law by earning about $3,500 salary on the town board without receiving official approval, and serving as an officer in a partisan political club while designated by the DEC as a “policy maker.”
In a Sept. 10 report, the state office alleges Kramarchyk violated several DEC policies.
Kramarchyk began her career in state government in the 1980s, and joined the DEC in 1996, where she has currently serves as community participation specialist, a protected civil service position. In this job she is designated an agency policy maker.
According to the Inspector General, the Hatch Act prohibits the appearance of a conflict of interest between her DEC duties and development projects that may come before the Kinderhook board.
The IG’s office found the appearance of a conflict, as issues which might require interaction with the DEC came before the Kinderhook board. The OIG cited a commercial retail shopping center proposal in 2002 and its possible impact on the environment and community.
Kramarchyk maintains she didn’t know her actions were against any law, and the state also found that her DEC supervisors knew she was a town board member.
“Despite these obvious violations of applicable law and agency policies, DEC supervisors and executive staff failed to take any action to ensure that Kramarchyk complied with statutory and policy requirements regarding her public office,” states the press release.
“It just didn’t occur to me,” Kramarchyk told the IG’s office when asked why she didn’t seek approval before running for office.
The release states that even when informed of Kramarchyk’s potential violation of the Hatch Act, DEC’s management and ethics staff still failed to take timely, appropriate action.
The IG’s report states that on April 23, 2003, Kramarchyk received a letter from Erin Crotty, the then- DEC Commissioner, informing her of designation and responsibilities as a “policymaker.”
According to the IG, the letter specifically advised that she was required to evaluate outside activities for “potential conflict of interest and bring any outside activity which may present a conflict to the attention of her supervisor.” The letter states that political activities should be scrutinized carefully.
Kramarchyk said that she did not recall receiving the letter, but indicated that all policymakers received this type of letter.
When contacted, an official from the inspector general’s office declined comment, saying they preferred to let the report speak for itself.
The IG recommends the DEC take appropriate action against Kramarchyk for her alleged violations of the Hatch Act, state law, and DEC policies, and against her supervisors and managers.
In response to these recommendations, the DEC said that they will ensure that Kramarchyk is counseled to make sure that she is fully aware of the laws and agency policies restricting political activities and outside employment. They will also determine if further disciplinary action is appropriate following the Commission on Public Integrity’s review of Kramarchyk’s conduct.
The department requires the officials meet with Kramarchyk’s current supervisors to discuss their responsibilities to be aware of policies regarding the same issues. They have also agreed to provide executive staff and division and regional directors refresher training on agency policies, in addition to the periodic training on Public Officers Law it already conducts.
Kramarchyk could not be reached for comment, and there is no word whether she will be completing her term on the Kinderhook Town Board.
***
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
A report dated Sept. 10 alleges she violated the federal Hatch Act. But Kramarchyk, of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, says she did not know her actions were against the law.
The investigation began after the IG’s office received a complaint from a confidential source in July, 2008.
Kramarchyk also allegedly violated the New York State Public Officer’s Law by earning about $3,500 salary on the town board without receiving official approval, and serving as an officer in a partisan political club while designated by the DEC as a “policy maker.”
In a Sept. 10 report, the state office alleges Kramarchyk violated several DEC policies.
Kramarchyk began her career in state government in the 1980s, and joined the DEC in 1996, where she has currently serves as community participation specialist, a protected civil service position. In this job she is designated an agency policy maker.
According to the Inspector General, the Hatch Act prohibits the appearance of a conflict of interest between her DEC duties and development projects that may come before the Kinderhook board.
The IG’s office found the appearance of a conflict, as issues which might require interaction with the DEC came before the Kinderhook board. The OIG cited a commercial retail shopping center proposal in 2002 and its possible impact on the environment and community.
Kramarchyk maintains she didn’t know her actions were against any law, and the state also found that her DEC supervisors knew she was a town board member.
“Despite these obvious violations of applicable law and agency policies, DEC supervisors and executive staff failed to take any action to ensure that Kramarchyk complied with statutory and policy requirements regarding her public office,” states the press release.
“It just didn’t occur to me,” Kramarchyk told the IG’s office when asked why she didn’t seek approval before running for office.
The release states that even when informed of Kramarchyk’s potential violation of the Hatch Act, DEC’s management and ethics staff still failed to take timely, appropriate action.
The IG’s report states that on April 23, 2003, Kramarchyk received a letter from Erin Crotty, the then- DEC Commissioner, informing her of designation and responsibilities as a “policymaker.”
According to the IG, the letter specifically advised that she was required to evaluate outside activities for “potential conflict of interest and bring any outside activity which may present a conflict to the attention of her supervisor.” The letter states that political activities should be scrutinized carefully.
Kramarchyk said that she did not recall receiving the letter, but indicated that all policymakers received this type of letter.
When contacted, an official from the inspector general’s office declined comment, saying they preferred to let the report speak for itself.
The IG recommends the DEC take appropriate action against Kramarchyk for her alleged violations of the Hatch Act, state law, and DEC policies, and against her supervisors and managers.
In response to these recommendations, the DEC said that they will ensure that Kramarchyk is counseled to make sure that she is fully aware of the laws and agency policies restricting political activities and outside employment. They will also determine if further disciplinary action is appropriate following the Commission on Public Integrity’s review of Kramarchyk’s conduct.
The department requires the officials meet with Kramarchyk’s current supervisors to discuss their responsibilities to be aware of policies regarding the same issues. They have also agreed to provide executive staff and division and regional directors refresher training on agency policies, in addition to the periodic training on Public Officers Law it already conducts.
Kramarchyk could not be reached for comment, and there is no word whether she will be completing her term on the Kinderhook Town Board.
***
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
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swingbatter2 wrote on Sep 18, 2009 9:41 AM: