Rockland Daily Reporting

Michael Gianatasio, Clarkstown’s Director of Engineering and Facilities Management, has been placed on paid administrative leave as town officials investigate allegations that he failed to disclose numerous private business interests, including ties to companies that sought work involving the town.

The matter is now before Clarkstown’s independent Ethics Board and remains under investigation.

Town officials say Gianatasio turned to the media and portrayed himself as a whistleblower who uncovered questionable billing issues and other problems involving work for the town, only after questions began surfacing about his own outside business interests and dealings with town vendors. The investigation into his conduct began well before he publicly accused Clarkstown officials of retaliation.

Sources within the town tell Rockland Daily that the inquiry began after Siemens, a longtime company working on major town improvement projects, raised serious concerns about Gianatasio’s conduct.

The town alleges that Gianatasio approached Siemens seeking work for a business connected to his wife. Officials say that after Siemens declined, his dealings with the company became increasingly hostile, eventually prompting Siemens to contact the town.

Clarkstown then hired outside counsel and an independent investigator to review Gianatasio’s conduct and financial disclosure filings.

That investigation allegedly uncovered approximately 24 companies connected to Gianatasio, including 17 that town officials say were never properly disclosed.

Town officials say those findings raised serious questions about whether Gianatasio had private business interests connected to companies seeking town work while he held a powerful position overseeing municipal projects.

One of the most significant allegations involves C.A.C. Industries and Green Asphalt.

Officials allege that Gianatasio was listed as a representative or business agent connected to C.A.C. Industries and that the relationship was not disclosed while the company was seeking involvement in town projects.

The town is also reviewing a road-paving demonstration involving the companies that officials say was arranged without the knowledge or approval of the Town Board or town supervisor.

Sources say the paving material later failed, forcing Clarkstown to repave the road at taxpayer expense.

Town officials further allege that Gianatasio used his position to promote companies with which he had undisclosed ties, creating what they describe as a serious conflict between his public responsibilities and private business interests.

Officials now argue that Gianatasio is attempting to distance himself from projects he personally supervised after learning that his own conduct was under investigation.

The town maintains that his whistleblower claims were an effort to get ahead of the ethics inquiry and shift attention away from the allegations involving his business interests.

Town officials say the timeline is clear: Siemens first raised concerns about Gianatasio, Clarkstown then opened an outside investigation, and only afterward did Gianatasio go public claiming retaliation.

The investigation has also expanded to Clarkstown Highway Superintendent Robert Milone, who town officials allege worked alongside Gianatasio to arrange and promote companies without the knowledge or approval of the Town Board or town supervisor. Sources within the town say a separate ethics complaint involving Milone is expected.

The Ethics Board will now review the outside investigation, Gianatasio’s disclosure filings, business records, and his dealings with companies seeking town work.

Town officials say the case involves far more than paperwork mistakes and raises serious questions about whether Gianatasio used his public position to advance undisclosed private business interests.

No final determination has yet been issued by the Ethics Board.