East Rockaway seeks new clerk-treasurer

The Village of East Rockaway is looking for a new village clerk-treasurer, three weeks after the termination of Doris Piedimonte, who had held the position since April 2011.

In May, Piedimonte, 50, a Valley Stream resident, was suspended with pay from her position amid a shoplifting investigation. According to a 4th Precinct police report, Piedimonte was arrested on May 5 at the J.C. Penney store in the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream and charged with petit larceny.

In a subsequent court hearing, the case was declared in adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. This allows it to be adjourned for six months, without an admission of guilt from Piedimonte, at which point it would be revisited and most likely dismissed, as long as Piedimonte has not committed any crimes.

On June 14, after the determination, the village board requested Piedimonte’s resignation, but according to Village Attorney John Ryan, she declined to do so. At its meeting on June 17, the board terminated her employment. The village was notified on Monday that she had filed for unemployment benefits — which the village intends to contest, Ryan said.

Piedimonte was appointed deputy clerk-comptroller in January 2003, and eight years later she was appointed clerk-treasurer. The village clerk collects taxes, issues parking permit for the municipal lots, organizes board meetings and manages the budget.

Piedimonte could not be reached for comment.

Have an opinion on this story? Send Letters to the Editor to mmalloy@liherald.com