Clerk and highway superintendent put Town of Jewett on notice over alleged hostile work environment

JEWETT―Intrigue surrounding a search warrant executed at the Jewett Municipal Building is deepening with the town clerk and highway superintendent now filing a notice of claim against the Town and town board.

Highway Superintendent Robert Mallory and Town Clerk Maya Carl are plaintiffs in potential litigation that has its roots in the sweep by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office on July 2, 2025.

Sheriff’s Office Captain Joel Rowell, at the time of the search, stated it was prompted by, “allegations of potentially fraudulent activity,” with investigators seizing “electronic devices, paper files and business records.”

Since then, the sheriff’s office has been silent on additional details. But the notice of claim―a written warning required before suing a government entity and officially served on the Town of Jewett earlier this week―offers details about alleged events leading up to the police entry.

According to the notice, it was Mallory and Carl who initially reached out to police late last spring, ultimately resulting in the ongoing criminal investigation.

The papers also spell out alleged violations of Civil Service Law by the Town including, “creating a hostile work environment” for the plaintiffs, “intentional infliction of emotional distress” and “civil conspiracy.”

Town Supervisor Greg Kroyer, in a phone interview following the serving of the notice on January 15, said he “was made aware of the existence of the document by the town attorney” and “will follow his advice with regard to it.”

Mallory and Carl, represented by attorney Dana Salazar from the East Greenbush law firm, Salazar and Erikson, allege the “actions that resulted in this claim arose on or about April 16, 2025, and have continued to date.

“During the Fall of 2024, Plaintiff Mallory became aware that a private home was being constructed and a foundation was laid on property owned by Barbara Schobel, the planning board chairperson for the Town of Jewett.

“Around that same time, Plaintiff Mallory mentioned to Plaintiff Carl that the construction was in progress, and Plaintiff Carl mentioned that that was odd because she had not received a check for a building permit for that property.

“Upon information and belief, astructure was fully framed on the Schobel property during the month of March2025. By observation, the structure appeared to be over 2,000 square feet.

“Around this time, Plaintiff Carl received a check for the building permit for the property that was on its face insufficient for the type and size of building being constructed.

“On April 9, 2025, the building inspector's report noted that a building permit was issued for the property fora 964 square feet accessory barn.”

The notice of claim goes on to state:

“On April 16, 2025, plaintiffs requested a meeting with the Town Supervisor, Greg Kroyer, to discuss the apparently illegal and uninspected construction.

“Plaintiffs informed Greg Kroyer that it appeared that building and zoning laws were disregarded during and following the construction of the planning board chair's house.

“Greg Kroyer downplayed the reported misconduct and code violations but nonetheless requested more time.

“On April 23, 2025, plaintiffs requested a second meeting with Greg Kroyer. At this meeting, plaintiffs asked for an update on the misconduct and code violations and Greg Kroyer again asked for more time.

“Supervisor Kroyer advised plaintiffs that ‘at the end of the process, the file would reflect the project.’

“On April 24, 2025, plaintiffs notified the town attorney for the Town of Jewett, Tal Rappleyea, of the issues.

“That same day, plaintiffs reached out to Greg Kroyer once more, and asked him to speak with the town attorney, and Greg Kroyer agreed to discuss the issues with the town attorney.

“Over the next few weeks, plaintiffs and town council members had conversations about the issues. On May 14, 2025, Greg Kroyer told Plaintiff Mallory not to speak to any councilmembers without his permission and stated that he would not have a meeting or discuss the issues further.”

According to the notice of claim: “Upon information and belief, defendants have never taken steps to resolve the misconduct and compliance issues. After defendants failed to act, plaintiffs were left with no choice but to report the misconduct and compliance to the Greene County Sheriff's Office.”

It further alleges that, “Immediately following plaintiffs’ cooperation with law enforcement, defendants began a campaign to marginalize, embarrass, demean. and punish plaintiffs for their cooperation with law enforcement.

“Plaintiffs have been subjected to months of hostile behavior from defendants in the form of arguments. cold behavior, and hostile abuses of authority. Councilpersons [John] Giordano, [James] Pellitteri, [Jeanie] Scotti, and Kroyer have intimidated, excluded, and disparaged plaintiffs.

“Defendants have made plaintiffs feel unwelcome and unsafe at their places of employment. At the November [2025] board meeting, defendants removed or allowed the removal of Plaintiff Mallory from the board table for meetings despite the fact he had held a seat at that table for nearly 30 years.

“At the same November meeting, the defendants required Plaintiff Mallory to seek approval from Supervisor Kroyer for any vehicle repairs over $1,500. Plaintiff Mallory emailed Supervisor Kroyer for approval to repair a truck on December 31, 2025.

“When Plaintiff Carl followed up with Supervisor Kroyer regarding the request, Supervisor Kroyer responded that he would not respond to emails and would not put anything in writing to plaintiffs.

“Supervisor Kroyer's refusal to communicate with plaintiffs is interfering with plaintiffs ability to perform their respective job duties.

“On or about December 10, 2025, defendants removed or allowed the removal of Plaintiff Carl from her role as planning board secretary, a paid position, without providing a non-retaliatory basis for the removal.

“Plaintiff Carl anticipates that she may be removed from her position with the zoning board as well as retaliation.

“Based on conversations within the town hall, Plaintiff Carl fears that the defendants may also eliminate her healthcare benefits provided by the Town of Jewett.

“On December 22, 2025, Greg Kroyer signed vouchers and checks to replace gas pumps that did not need to be replaced. These vouchers should have been approved by and signed by Plaintiff Mallory in his role as highway supervisor.

“As a result, Greg Kroyer has expended money that was rightfully subject to authorization by Plaintiff Mallory in his role as highway supervisor.

“Justification for replacement of the gas pumps was a false implication of theft of fuel by employees within Plaintiff Mallory's department.

“Greg Kroyer has used his role as town supervisor to advocate for security cameras to be placed in the highway supervisor's building over Plaintiff Mallory's protest and without non-discriminatory cause.

“Greg Kroyer formed a commission composed of two town councilpersons to coordinate installation of the security cameras and has used this commission to further punish, demean, and retaliate against plaintiffs.

“A union representative contacted Greg Kroyer and notified him that he must cease and desist his plan to install security cameras. Upon information and belief defendants also discussed the placement of cameras in Plaintiff Carl's office.

“So far, Plaintiff Carl's office includes the boiler, the lunchroom equipment, the computer server and now the water filtration system. Upon information and belief, these filters have been placed in Plaintiff Carl's office to provide excuses to leave Plaintiff Carl's office unlocked and available for defendants to enter without notice.

“On January 5, 2026, defendants moved the water filtration system into Defendant Carl's office for no legitimate reason.”

The notice of claim goes on to allege that Mallory and Carl have “suffered severe stress and anxiety related to the defendants’ hostile and retaliatory behaviors.”

“Upon information and belief, defendants have retaliated or permitted retaliation against both or either of plaintiffs at all times relevant” and “plaintiffs fear further hostile and retaliatory behavior on the part of defendants when the legal and compliance matters reported by plaintiffs result in criminal arrests,” the notice states.

Carl and Mallory allege that they, "reported the hostile work environment to authorities at the Town and the board and have seen no change in the hostility or retaliation.”

They “have and will sustain substantial monetary and noneconomic damages including mental anguish in an amount to be determined,” the notice of claim states.

Carl and Mallory “present this claim and demand for adjustment and payment, and further notifies that unless the same is adjusted and paid within the time provided by law from the date of its presentation, it is the intention of the claimants to commence an action against the Town of Jewett, Jewett Town Board, and such others as may be liable for same to recover the damages sustained by claimants as set forth herein.”

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