New Rochelle Corporation Counsel Seeking Blank Check from Taxpayer to Fund Her Personal Lawsuit Against Robert Cox

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (December 10, 2024) — As noted last week, sometimes the stories write themselves.

The agenda for tonight’s New Rochelle City Council meeting includes a resolution authorizing Corporation Counsel Dawn Warren and Development Commissioner Adam Salgado to retain legal counsel at taxpayer expense to pursue potential defamation claims against me.

It is difficult for me to imagine Warren, Salgado, and City Manager Will Melendez would have put the resolution on the agenda had they not already secured support from Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert and her fellow Democrats on council. I have every expectation this unprecedented resolution will be approved.

This is so bizarre that I am just publishing the resolution and Dawn’s memo and will leave it to readers to comment.

MEMORANDUM

TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council

THRU: Wilfredo Melendez, Acting City Manager

FROM: Dawn Warren, Corporation Counsel

DATE: December 10, 2024

SUBJECT: PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CERTAIN CITY EMPLOYEES TO RETAIN LEGAL COUNSEL — Resolution authorizing certain City employees to retain legal counsel to pursue potential defamation claims.

The City Council is requested to authorize the adoption of a resolution permitting certain City employees to retain legal counsel to address potential defamation claims. The proposed legislation aims to protect the professional reputations of City employees and ensure they can effectively perform their duties without the impediment of unaddressed false allegations.

Key points of the proposed resolution include:

1. Authorization for Legal Counsel: Approval for Adam Salgado, Commissioner of Development, and Dawn M. Warren, Corporation Counsel, to retain legal representation to evaluate and potentially pursue claims against Robert Cox and Talk of the Sound/Words in Edgewise concerning alleged defamatory statements.
2. Scope of Representation: The retained counsel will investigate the facts and legal context, determine the appropriateness of legal actions, and pursue claims if warranted.
3. City's Financial Responsibility: The City will cover reasonable legal costs, subject to budgetary limits and capped at the standard municipal rate.
4. Clarification of Liability: The resolution does not admit liability or wrongdoing by the City and is limited to providing legal support for the identified employees.
5. Council's approval of this resolution will ensure the City's commitment to safeguarding its employees' reputations and upholding public trust.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CERTAIN

CITY EMPLOYEES TO RETAIN LEGAL COUNSEL TO PURSUE POTENTIAL DEFAMATION CLAIMS

WHEREAS, the City of New Rochelle is committed to safeguarding the integrity and reputations of its employees against false and defamatory statements that may harm their professional standing and credibility; and constitute defamation under applicable law; and

WHEREAS, false allegations against certain City officials may impede their ability to effectively perform their duties and represent the City's interests if they are not addressed; and

WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the need to address these allegations and ensure appropriate legal recourse to protect the rights of its employees; and arising from the aforesaid conduct; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of New Rochelle, as follows:

1. The City Council authorizes the retention of legal counsel to represent the following employees in evaluating and, if warranted, pursuing defamation claims against Robert Cox and Talk of the Sound/Words in Edgewise related to the alleged defamatory or unlawful statements or conduct:

• Adam Salgado, Commission of Development

• Dawn M. Warren, Corporation Counsel

1. The retention of legal counsel by these employees is limited to (a) investigating the facts and applicable law to determine the appropriateness of pursuing legal claims; and (b) initiating and prosecuting legal actions deemed appropriate by the retained counsel in accordance with applicable law.
2. The City shall bear the reasonable costs, not to exceed the standard municipal rate, associated with retaining legal counsel under this resolution, in compliance with applicable laws and budgetary limitations.
3. This resolution does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing by the City of Rochelle, and pertains solely to the provision of legal services for the benefit of the identified employees.