The former director of the Derby Parking Authority has lodged a complaint against Mayor Anita Dugatto, claiming she discriminated against him because of his medical condition and physical disability.
Leo Moscato Jr.‘s job was eliminated as of June 30, when Derby City Hall absorbed the city’s Parking Authority, where Moscato ran day-to-day operations at the city’s parking garage on Thompson Place for nine years.
An email seeking comment was sent to Moscato Wednesday.
His duties were taken over by Mayor Dugatto, a move recently endorsed by the Derby Board of Aldermen, who said bringing the parking authority directly under the control of city hall will increase efficiency and accountability.
However, in a complaint filed earlier this month with the state’s Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, Moscato claims that Dugatto “retaliated” against him because of a heart condition.
“She has mentioned this to me on many occasions which I have documented. It is convenient to use the ‘city has no position for you,’” Moscato writes in a handwritten complaint.
Moscato cites three dates between February and June 2015 during which the mayor allegedly referenced his health.
“If you are not healthy enough to do your job, then you should give it up,” Moscato claims the mayor said during one meeting.
The mayor referred questions to the city’s lawyer.
Moscato’s complaint follows. The story continues after the document.
Moscato CHRO Complaint by ValleyIndyDotOrg
Moscato’s complaint notes that he had “no reprimands of any kind” during his tenure as director.
During his employment in Derby, he pleaded guilty to two second-degree breach of peace charges in a plea deal connected to an arrest by Naugatuck police.
Moscato also filed a federal lawsuit against a volunteer member of the Derby Parking Authority in 2010, claiming the member assaulted him. In 2012 a jury took 20 minutes to rule in favor of the defendant, John Dorosh.
Moscato was paid $24 an hour as parking authority director, a part-time job.
He also has a civil lawsuit pending against the Ponus Yacht Club in Stamford, where he worked from July 2014 to May 2015. Moscato was supposed to earn a $70,000 salary plus bonuses, but alleges the club broke their contract with him.
Upon leaving employment with Derby, Moscato signed a severance agreement with the Derby Municipal Parking Authority, according to a public document made available upon a reporter’s request Wednesday.
The document states that Moscato was scheduled to be given a $1,200 severance payment. He agreed not to take any action against the city. However, the agreement gave Moscato seven days to change his mind.
The agreement is posted below. The story continues after the document.
Moscato Severance Agreement by ValleyIndyDotOrg
Moscato signed the agreement July 2, then wrote out a complaint to the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities five days later.
The state acknowledged the complaint July 20.
Moscato’s complaint kicks off a lengthy review process. The City of Derby has 30 days to reply, a first step in the process.
CHRO complaints that progress through the process often morph into formal lawsuits.
