Prime NYC Correction Division official abruptly fired over intercourse harass cost simply three months after he was employed

The No. 2 official within the metropolis Correction Division was unceremoniously canned Friday whereas below investigation following a sexual harassment grievance filed towards him, sources stated.

Joseph Dempsey, a veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs’ Division, was fired by Correction Commissioner Louis Molina simply three months into his tenure. Molina on Oct. 31 had touted Dempsey as a “ahead thinker.”

Sources stated a girl employed by the Correction Division filed a sexual harassment grievance towards him, spurring Molina to behave.

The lady’s lawyer, Sarena Townsend, declined to debate the allegations however issued a press release.

“It’s appalling that my shopper ought to face sexual harassment of this nature by Commissioner Molina’s hand-picked senior deputy commissioner,” stated Townsend, a former Correction Division head of trials and investigation who Molina fired a yr in the past.

“My shopper, who by no means requested to be on this place, was not solely mortified by the harassment of such a distinguished determine at DOC,” Townsend stated. “However now, due to DOC’s rumor-mill tradition, will probably be subjected to public humiliation and retaliation.”

Neither the Correction Division nor Dempsey responded to request for remark.

It was an abrupt and surprising finish to Dempsey’s tenure. His hiring was touted as a part of a technique to rent exterior correction specialists to prime positions on the company, and sideline the company’s uniformed management.

“Joe Dempsey’s information and experience in correction reform, use of drive, and the city jail inhabitants will probably be an asset to this division,” Molina stated Oct. 31. “I’m excited to have him be part of this company as we glance to ship forward-thinking, data-driven coverage and sensible enchancment to our metropolis’s jails.”

Molina has showcased the skin hires as proof of a altering company, and his plans have been endorsed by Steve Martin, a monitor appointed to trace violence at Rikers as a part of a federal lawsuit.

However union officers stated Dempsey’s firing raises questions in regards to the exterior hiring plan.

“He appeared to me to be a really critical man, a really succesful man, and I do know he has a really respectable resume,” stated Joseph Russo, president of the union that represents deputy wardens and assistant deputy wardens.

“However till they repair the inmate management and violence drawback, they will herald all of the Joseph Dempseys they need and the jails are nonetheless not going to be fastened.”