Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace is defending the recent hiring of his wife, Lisa Grace, as a temporary worker in the tax receiver’s office, The Journal News/Lohud.com reports today.
Records obtained under the Freedom of Information Law show that Lisa Grace earns $15 an hour as an intermediate clerk, working between five and eight hours a day.
Michael Grace said all applicable laws and policies were followed in hiring his wife. He did not initiate the move to hire her and does not control her work decisions, he said. Elfriede Schmid, tax receiver, hired Lisa Grace because there was a personnel shortage in her office, the supervisor told The Journal News/Lohud.com.
“Her working in the tax office was cleared by (the) human resources (department) and it’s not in violation of any nepotism policy,” he said.
The town’s nepotism policy doesn’t apply to seasonal and temporary workers.
Nick Bianco, a Town Board member, criticized the hiring. “With unemployment at 8 percent, I can’t believe there isn’t a person in the Town of Yorktown who couldn’t use this position. I think it’s a mistake, though it’s perfectly legal. … I’m not saying anything against Mrs. Grace, but to me, it leaves a bad taste.”
