A routine traffic stop in Yonkers allegedly set off a series of events leading to the termination of a newly-hired police officer. Per a lawsuit filed on March 8, the fired officer claims that the Westchester Department of Public Safety terminated him over an unwritten policy of not issuing tickets to drivers possessing a PBA “friends and family” card.
Joseph Saetta, a 29-year-old resident of Rockland County, has been working his way up the law enforcement ladder for the past few years. After serving in departments in Tuxedo Park Village, Mt. Vernon, and Pleasantville, Saetta became a police officer in the Westchester County Department of Public Safety on Oct. 30, 2023. This civil service position requires a probationary period accompanied by a Field Training Officer (FTO).
A Lawful Citation
At the start of December, the Department paired Saetta with Officer Mohammad Chandoo. On Dec. 6, the duo stopped a vehicle driving on the Saw Mill River Parkway near Executive Blvd. in Yonkers. After being pulled over for an expired temporary New Jersey plate, the motorist could not produce her driver’s license. Driver Corinne Pascariu-Costo instead revealed a PBA card from her wallet. By virtue of this card, she identified herself as, “a family member.” Probationary Officer Saetta disregarded any relevance of this unfamiliar card. He conferred with his FTO and received Chandoo’s approval to issue a traffic ticket to Pascariu-Costo.
However, Pascariu-Costo soon contacted the Department of Public Safety and filed a civilian complaint against Saetta. Only three days after the incident, Chandoo informed Saetta that this complaint reached “upper management” at the Department. He further noted to his partner that officers had been disciplined for issuing tickets to PBA card-holders.
What’s a PBA Card?
A PBA card is a wallet-sized card or window sticker representing support for a Police Benevolent Association. These cards display the logo of a respective police union or “fraternal order” organization. They do not necessarily imply any formal association with a law enforcement agency. Many believe displaying these cards signal to police that you support them. And more importantly, that police repay this support with leniency.
The belief in leniency is so strong that it powers an entire marketing industry. While some PBA cards and their holders may be legitimately associated with law enforcement, many cards are simply gifted or purchased. Various investigative news reports and even a Netflix documentary titled, “Telemarketers” uncovered the unethical business practices behind selling these cards. In summary, organizations of varying credibility identifying themselves with law enforcement contract marketing firms to fundraise. In exchange for cash donations, supporters receive these symbolic cards–virtually acting as a receipt of their donation.
From Passing Probation to a Pink Slip
On Dec. 17, FTO Chandoo congratulated Probationary Officer Saetta on effecting a DWI arrest and thus completing his probationary training. However, two days later, Saetta faced Captain James Greer who warned him that his position was in jeopardy over the Pascariu-Costo complaint.
About two weeks later, FTO Chandoo received an order to complete all evaluation reports for Saetta. Of the four reports in total, Saetta earned passing grades on three. The only failing grade came for the Dec. 6 traffic stop. Tellingly, the notes on this report indicate that Saetta “needs to show more discression [sic].” Regardless of that lone failed report, Saetta passed his field training.
An unexpected meeting followed on Jan. 12 with Captain Greer. Saetta met Greer in his office in the presence of Sergeant McNulty from the Internal Affairs division. There, Saetta learned of his termination. While exiting the meeting, Saetta claims that “McNulty expressed confusion as to how [Saetta] wound up terminated.” This confusion appeared to stem from the lack of investigation or even notification regarding allegations from Pascariu-Costo.
Despite confirmation from his labor union that Commissioner of Public Safety Terrance Raynor fired Saetta for “writing over a PBA card,” Raynor issued the following letter stating no such cause at all for his termination.
This communication will confirm that Police Officer Joseph Saetta separated from service with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety effective January 31, 2024. This separation of service was during his probation and was neither a “removal for cause” as such term is defined by 9 NYCRR 6056.2(h) nor a “removal during a probationary period” as such term is defined by 9 NYCRR 6056.2(i),
Police Officer Saetta has never, during his employment by the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, been the subject of a disciplinary investigation or been the subject of any of misconduct, including such misconduct as is described in 9 NYCRR 6056.2(h)(1).
A Civilian Complaint Leads to a Civil Lawsuit
In response to his unexpected termination, Joseph Saetta filed a civil lawsuit in federal court on March 8. The 16-page filing names Commissioner Terrance Raynor, the man who appointed him–County Executive George Latimer, and the driver who lodged the complaint suspected to be the root of his termination, Corinne Pascariu-Costo.
The six causes of action range from retaliation to defamation. The lawsuit posits that former-Officer Saetta acted in accordance with the law and policies of his Department. His termination thus only served to “silence, intimidate, threaten, and prevent” the free speech of Saetta speaking out against the assumed practice of leniency towards PBA card-holders. Moreover, the lawsuit cites New York State Civil Service Law § 75-b to further assert that the County acted improperly by dismissing a whistleblower.
The complaints directed against defendant Pascariu-Costo arise from a belief that she defamed him. Her civilian complaint to the Department alleging that Saetta was discourteous, “had no basis in truth or fact” as challenged by the bodycam footage of the entire interaction. These knowingly untrue statements were therefore an act of malice, states the lawsuit. That malicious act resulted in “interference with business relations,” i.e. Saetta’s termination of employment.
The lawsuit brought against these defendants seeks a jury trial and monetary compensation for back pay and future wages lost. It further seeks compensation for “pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of dignity, humiliation, and damages to reputation and livelihood.”
You can read the full complaint by clicking here.
It will be many more weeks before Westchester County and civilian Corinne Pascariu-Costo respond to this lawsuit. In the meantime, drivers pulled over by County Police may consider finding a different “get out of jail free” card.
