East Hampton, Reimondo Named in Lawsuit

Just when it appeared East Hampton might soon get out from under the pile of pending legal matters that have burdened the town the past year, a new complaint has been brought forward.

Michael Olzacki, who was turned down for a position as assistant animal control officer two years ago, has filed a lawsuit against the town and Police Chief Matthew Reimondo.

The lawsuit, which was served on Thursday, comes as no surprise because the town was previously notified by Olzacki of his intent to sue in September.

In the complaint, Olzacki alleges that his personal information was disclosed by Reimondo in a series of emails and attachments to his wife, Kathie Reimondo, parks and recreation director Ruth Plummer, East Hampton librarian Sue Berescik and Renee Ghent, who is not employed by the town. The complaint states that because none of these individuals were relevant to the hiring or review process for the police department’s animal control officer position, they have “no right or privilege to view or have knowledge of private personal data of Town employees or applicants.”

The complaint further alleges that at a town meeting on Oct. 5, 2010, Reimondo made statements disclosing certain personal data about Olzacki.

Exactly what Reomondo said or what personal information he shared in the emails was not disclosed in the complaint.

Olzacki applied for the position of assistant animal control officer in November 2009. During the hiring process, personal information was provided by him and gathered by the police department, which conducted a background investigation. In March 2010, Olzacki received a letter from Reimondo informing him he would not be hired for the ACO position.

Between Oct. 29, 2010, and Nov. 4, 2010, Olzacki submitted Freedom of Information requests to the town for the emails, texts and phone records of Reimondo and Plummer.

This suit followed.

Contacted Tuesday, the attorney for Olzacki, Kenneth Barber, declined comment.

The complaint points to Connecticut General Statutes Section 4-190, saying, “The town of East Hampton maintains a personal data system and is obligated … to preserve the privacy of said personal data,” and to the town’s Employee Handbook as failures on the town’s part to preserve the integrity and privacy of the personal data within its control.

Olzacki is seeking damages for, among other things, injury to his reputation.

Reimondo was not available for comment on Tuesday afternoon.

Olzacki has since been hired as the ACO in East Haddam. He became the ACO in East Hampton this year after the two towns regionalized their animal control services.

The town council will meet in executive session Tuesday night to discuss the matter.