Lawsuit: Sullivan challenges Clarkstown Council vote to fire him

Richard Glickel, lawyer of former Clarkstown police chief Michael Sullivan’s lawyer, filed a lawsuit in state Supreme Court in New City on Oct. 12 against the town – as well as Supervisor George Hoehmann, and Council members Frank Borelli, Stephanie Hausner, John Noto, and Daniel Caprara – seeking to throw out the Council’s 3-2 vote to oust Sullivan in September.

The lawsuit seeks to reinstate Sullivan to his position, entitling him to back pay and benefits. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks to throw out the appointment of McCullagh as police chief, who was a lieutenant in the department appointed to lead after Sullivan was fired. Sullivan’s suit specifically challenges whether Hohmann, as the complainant in the case, had the right to cast the deciding vote.

Hoehmann, a Republican, is facing Sullivan, a Democrat, in the November election for supervisor. Sullivan said if he wins the election for supervisor, he will immediately step down as chief if his lawsuit prevails.

On a 3-2 party line vote Sullivan was found guilty of multiple charges related to misusing Police Department communications for personal or unofficial use, disseminating information contained in a departmental record, misconduct, insubordination, and incompetence, among other things.

Sullivan has fought back, claiming the case is a political hatchet job. The Democratic Party has taken his back, making him their uncontested nominee for town supervisor.