By Tim O’Brien
The Times-Union
COLONIE, N.Y. — Town EMS chief Jon Politis is under investigation involving allegations he limited bidders on a CPR device.
At a Town Board meeting earlier this summer, Michigan Instruments said it had been locked out of the bid process for the devices because bid specifications prevented its device from being considered.
The board then tabled a resolution to purchase six mechanical chest compression devices used for CPR from another firm called Medtronic Physio Control.
Michigan Instruments did not name any individual who was responsible for setting the specifications.
However, as EMS chief, Politis oversaw the bid process. The case has been referred to the town’s labor counsel, the law firm of Roemer, Wallens and Mineaux. After a closed-door session, the Town Board voted 6-1 last month to initiate disciplinary action against Politis. Daniel Dustin, the board’s sole Republican, cast the only vote against the action.
Politis is on a paid leave he requested unrelated to the allegations, town spokeswoman Sara Wiest said.
Once the disciplinary charges are filed, the town can place Politis on a 30-day paid suspension.
“There is no limitation as to how long he can be on leave,” Wiest said. “They draft the charges. Then at some point they would serve them on Politis.”
Politis referred a request for comment to his attorneys, Michael Ravalli and Ronald Dunn of the law firm of Gleason, Dunn, Walsh and O’Shea. They could not be reached.
A 21-year employee of the town, the EMS chief is paid an annual salary of $98,515. He has had a difficult relationship with Town Supervisor Paula Mahan.
In 2009, he and his deputy, Peter Berry, filed an ethics complaint charging Mahan and Town Attorney Michael Magguilli with harassing them and trying to drive them out of their jobs.
Copyright 2010 The Hearst Corporation