POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County District Attorney, accused of threatening one of his assistants who is considering running for the DA position, has drafted a “Politics in the Office Policy” to address issues relating to employees of his office that choose to run for public office.
Grady was sworn in as Dutchess County DA in January of 1984 and, until January 2023, never addressed the issue of his employees running for public office. A potential race between two of his top prosecutors has changed that stance.
In December of 2022, Grady became aware that his Violent Crimes Bureau Chief Anthony Parisi, employed by Grady for more than two decades, was considering a campaign to be the Democratic candidate for District Attorney. Dutchess County Chief Assistant District Attorney Matt Weishaupt, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the office, is seeking the Republican nomination to run for the DA seat. If both men receive their party’s endorsement, they would be running against each other while working in the same office. Grady was fearful that such a race would jeopardize the integrity of the office.
Grady told Mid-Hudson News that he went to Parisi in December and told the bureau chief that if he were to run for District Attorney on the Democratic line, Grady would request Parisi’s resignation. “It was something I said impulsively to Mr. Parisi and even then began to have reservations for having said it.” Grady indicated that Pairisi was told that additional conversations between the men would take place before a decision would be made. The first conversation resulted in many complaints of Grady meddling in the upcoming election.
“At a subsequent meeting held just a few days later in the presence of Bureau Chief Kirsten Rappleyea, I told Mr. Parisi that I was reversing my position and was not going to ask for his resignation,” Grady said. The DA also denied telling Parisi that he was also going to request a resignation from Parisi’s wife, who serves as a Senior Assistant DA for Grady. “I did not, under any circumstances say that she had to resign in connection with the subject matter involving my conversation with Anthony.”
Chief Assistant DA Matt Weishaupt told Mid-Hudson News that at no time did Grady request his resignation in light of a potential campaign between the two men.
Grady was sworn into his first term as Dutchess County DA in 1984. He has never drafted a policy regarding this matter in previous years and says it is designed “To hopefully prevent any disruption in the day-to-day operation of our office.” Citing his impending retirement that will lead to a contested race for the position, Grady drafted and distributed the following policy to all DA staff members on January 3, 2023:
All,
As you know there will be an election for District Attorney this year due to my impending retirement. This will be the first time in forty years that I will not be seeking reelection. During this time the office has developed a well-earned reputation of seeking justice in a non-partisan ethical manner. The fact that my retirement will inevitably lead to a contested race for DA should in no way effect this goal and anything done that would compromise this reputation simply will not be tolerated.
It is inevitable that this election will no doubt promote the urge to engage in political discussion within the office. I cannot stress enough the importance of refraining from such conservation, for several extremely important reasons.
First, and foremost, politics has no role in our duties and responsibilities as prosecutors. Political discussion and debate within the office would potentially undermine our integrity and lead to hostility and disruption that would affect our ability to function properly.
Second, supervisors discussing politics in front of subordinates could have the unintended consequence of putting those employees in a position of feeling that they have no alternative but to agree with their supervisor.
Third, there are many employees who just do not want to be subjected to listening to political discussion and they have a right not to be.
My concern is being able to balance an individual’s right to discuss politics and give opinions with my obligation to ensure that this office functions in an ethically responsible manner without political influence to avoid the disruption of,
and interference with our obligation to pursue justice in a neutral manner.
The best way to accomplish this — and my recommendation to you — is to simply not discuss politics in the office.
Any issue that arises as a result of this guideline will be handled by Kirsten Rappleyea, Chief of the Appeals Bureau.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Bill
February 16, 2023 – Source: Mid Hudson News