Court Rules Woodstock Delayed Disciplinary Action Against Officer Sinagra

A recent ruling from the New York State Supreme Court has determined that the town of Woodstock acted too slowly in disciplining part-time police officer Philip Sinagra regarding multiple allegations of misconduct. The decision, issued on October 7, 2024, states that the Town Board’s notice of discipline, delivered on September 20, 2024, was beyond the legally mandated 60-day period for taking action on incidents that were known to officials in June 2023.

The ruling highlights that an investigation into the allegations did not commence until September 2023 and was only concluded by June 11, 2024. Judge David Gandin emphasized that because the Town Board was aware of the facts surrounding the misconduct prior to the 60-day limit, their actions exceeded the statutory authority allowed under Town Law.

Further complicating the situation, Sinagra filed an 18-page complaint on March 27, 2025, asserting that he faced retaliation from fellow officers after he was tasked with implementing policy changes opposed by some members of the department. He accused the Town Board and Supervisor William McKenna of “intentionally and repeatedly” violating town regulations by pursuing disciplinary measures against him unlawfully.

Sinagra has been embroiled in controversy since a formal complaint was lodged with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on May 22, 2023. The complaint alleged that he made racist and sexually charged remarks to colleagues over a three-year period. Although the EEOC did not bring any charges against him, it contended that officers Brian Williams, Tiffany Croizer, Gabrielle Lilima, Dispatcher Michelle Sullivan, and Sgt. Adam McGrath had experienced actions aimed at discouraging them from filing further complaints.

In a related incident, five employees from the Woodstock Police Department filed a lawsuit seeking $500,000 each in damages on August 30, 2024. By January 2025, they had settled for a total of $70,000.

The ongoing employment of Sinagra has sparked considerable frustration among Woodstock residents. Many voiced their displeasure during Town Board meetings upon discovering that he remained on the payroll while working on non-police matters from the municipal offices.

In response to the court’s decision, Supervisor McKenna expressed that the outcome was expected, attributing the delays in disciplinary action to Police Chief Clayton Keefe. He stated that Keefe did not recommend any disciplinary steps, claiming there was no issue to address. “The ball was in his hands and he decided there were no issues,” McKenna remarked.

Councilwoman Anula Courtis, who is running unopposed for the position of town supervisor, criticized McKenna for not informing the Town Board earlier about the complaints against Sinagra. She noted that the case only gained the attention it warranted when she became a councilperson and refused to pay legal fees without understanding the situation. “There are town laws that ensure things happen in a timely manner,” Courtis commented, highlighting a pattern of delays on various issues.

As the situation unfolds, the town of Woodstock faces ongoing scrutiny over its handling of disciplinary matters within the police department, raising questions about transparency and accountability in local governance.