By Carol DeMare, The Albany Times Union
Former Albany, N.Y. police Cmdr. Christian D’Alessandro, who was fired from the force earlier this year, filed a multimillion dollar federal lawsuit Thursday alleging his rights were violated and his reputation ruined.
D’Alessandro, who had been on the force 17 years when he was terminated Feb. 5, is suing the city and two former top police officials he claims punished him for reporting financial irregularities and misconduct, specifically overtime abuse, in the 340-member force.
He is seeking roughly $2 million in back pay and benefits and $2 million each from former Public Safety Commissioner John Neilsen and former Chief Robert Wolfgang, along with other damages that a jury may award. In his complaint, D’Alessandro demanded a jury trial.
“My entire professional life has been spent working with and protecting the people of Albany,” D’Alessandro said in a statement. “It saddens me when improper actions are taken by those who are sworn to protect the public trust and have broken it.” He is represented by Albany lawyers Paul DerOhannesian and Meredith Savitt.
Mayor Jerry Jennings said late Thursday that the city had yet to be served with the complaint.
“I will stand by the decision of Chief Wolfgang and Commissioner Nielsen regarding Commander D’Alessandro’s dismissal,” Jennings said. “It’s unfortunate we have a lawsuit when we did reach out to Mr. D’Alessandro and asked him to sign a release allowing us to share the internal affairs file with the public relative to his dismissal, and he wouldn’t.”
The firing of the former cop, who lives in Schenectady County, came a month after an anonymous derogatory flier surfaced that targeted Cmdr. Ralph Tashjian, head of the detective division.
D’Alessandro was twice re-assigned in recent years, including removal as head of detectives. He claims it was retaliation for bringing the overtime issue to the attention of city and police officials.
Former colleagues have accused D’Alessandro of being racist, which he has denied. Other allegations against him centered on his supervisory abilities.
D’Alessandro started a fund raising campaign for his legal challenge. Many cops are supporting his reinstatement.