Three Dutchess employees claim district attorney wrongfully terminated them: What we know

The newly-elected Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi fired three long-standing bureau chiefs within his office just two weeks into his term, according to notices of claim filed on their behalf.

Kristine Whelan, Robert Knapp and Cindy Murphy had all been working for the district attorney's office for nearly three decades when they were notified on Jan. 11 that their jobs would be terminated.

All three attorneys filed separate notices of claims with Dutchess County earlier this month requesting the restoration of benefits, unpaid wages and compensation for the damage done to their professional reputations.

Whelan headed the Special Victims Bureau, Knapp led the Narcotics Unit and Murphy worked on justice court cases and DWI prosecutions.

All three claim they were wrongfully terminated, months before they would have been allowed to retire, and have not received the benefits due to them for the number of years worked.

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They are also alleging defamation due to an email Parisi sent out to the office the day they were terminated. None were the subjects of any disciplinary action in the years they worked for the office, according to their claims.

Parisi did not provide the three former bureau chiefs with a reason for their termination, as advised by the county's attorney, describing them as "at will" employees of Dutchess County.

"Robert Knapp, Cindy Murphy and Kristine Whelan all held the position of Bureau Chief under the previous administration in the District Attorney’s Office. All three were offered the opportunity to resign their positions versus separation from the office," Parisi said, adding that their "terminations were thoroughly discussed with the County Attorney prior to the District Attorney’s Office taking action."

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'The gravity of these decisions'

Whelan spent most of her time at the district attorney's office working on cases regarding sexual assault, domestic violence and homicide. Her direct supervisor was Matthew Weishaupt, who had campaigned against Parisi for the position of district attorney.

Whelan, in her claim, stated she was "blindsided" by the termination, a sentiment that was shared by the other two claimants. In the claim, she said Parisi had told her he wasn't intending to let anyone go after his election. In December, an email was sent to all assistant district attorneys asking them to sign their oaths of office immediately, which Whelan did.

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Parisi sent out an office-wide email the same day as the termination stating that Whelan, Knapp and Murphy were no longer employed at the office.

"I am mindful of the gravity of these decisions and the impact upon each of you. On a personal level, they were difficult to make. As District Attorney, I am responsible to the citizens of Dutchess County. In fulfilling this responsibility, I recognize that my most important asset, my staff, must be capable of supporting my vision for the future of this Office. (Our) integrity must be unquestionable, and the critical work we do demands the highest levels of professionalism, commitment, and compassion for every person involved in the criminal justice system, including our fellow employees," according to the claim.

All three individuals saw Parisi's explanation, referring to the integrity of the office, as an attack on their professionalism and work, according to the documents.

"Parisi knew when he was drafting his email announcing my termination from employment that I had no issues with integrity, professionalism, commitment or compassion. His announcement was designed to be defamatory to my reputation in the community, at a time when prosecutors are being so closely scrutinized," Murphy said in her claim. Parisi had been her direct supervisor at one point, and was also her trial partner.

Whelan, Knapp and Murphy referred all questions to their attorneys.

While the claim's primary request is that lost benefits and salaries be restored, it does not rule out the possibility of future litigation regarding the wrongful termination, according to Michael Sussman, the attorney representing Murphy. Her claim did state the intent to sue for defamation of character. The attorney representing Whelan and Knapp did not respond to the Journal's request for an interview.

The positions left vacated by the terminations have already been filled. Angela Lopane serves as the Special Victims Unit Bureau Chief. Andrea Long is the Narcotics Unity Bureau Chief and Frank Petramale is the Justice Court Unit Bureau Chief. All have more than two decades worth of experience working at the district attorney's office.

Saba Ali: Sali1@poughkeepsiejournal.com: 845-451-4518

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Three Dutchess employees claim district attorney wrongfully terminated them: What we know