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By: Hal C Clarke
A recent report unveils a tumultuous situation within the New York Attorney General’s Office, where a senior lawyer, John Oleske, alleges that his termination in October was a result of his efforts to expose misconduct by chief prosecutor José Maldonado.
Oleske claims to have spent two years raising concerns about Maldonado’s alleged misdeeds, including the concealment of potential conflicts of interest and contentious professional relationships.
According to the Daily Beast, Oleske’s report, spanning 74 pages, accuses Maldonado of serious misconduct, including the falsification of his resume and the suppression of conflicts of interest related to the office’s enforcement targets. While Oleske did not directly report to Maldonado, he became increasingly frustrated with the management of Maldonado’s division, prompting him to initiate an internal investigation.
Oleske’s concerns, as outlined in the report, go beyond internal management issues. One revelation is an accusation of racism against Maldonado in an ongoing federal discrimination lawsuit in Manhattan in 2020. John Coombs, the former president of the city’s Black Firefighters Association, alleged that Maldonado, while serving as associate commissioner of compliance at the New York Fire Department, obstructed the advancement of African Americans.
The AG’s Office dismissed the allegation as unverified and unspecific, suggesting it was intended to support the certification of a class-action lawsuit.
Another point of contention raised by Oleske was Maldonado’s undisclosed involvement with a nonprofit called the Brooklyn Golf Alliance. Oleske expressed concern that this could pose a conflict of interest if Maldonado were to investigate the organization. The AG’s Office stated that Maldonado resigned from the group in 2022 when his involvement was exposed.
Oleske also questioned Maldonado’s tangential connection to former President Donald Trump and expressed apprehension about potential influence on the office’s inquiry into Trump. However, the AG’s Office maintained that an individual’s association with someone does not indicate wrongdoing.
Furthermore, Oleske raised concerns about Maldonado’s alleged covert involvement in lobbying for private garbage companies. The AG’s Office countered this claim, stating that Maldonado engaged in this work as an external adviser.
In response to Oleske’s internal reporting, he was placed on extended leave, with allegations of erratic behavior. Upon his return, Oleske perceived it as an attempt to discredit him, stating, “This is Soviet-style, sick kind of s—t.” Half an hour before his termination, he emailed his report to over a dozen AG colleagues, accusing the office of attempting to silence him rather than addressing the issues related to Maldonado.
Despite the controversy, Attorney General Letitia James publicly supported Maldonado, describing him as an “incredible public servant.” James emphasized Maldonado’s dedication to protecting New Yorkers and his integral role in significant investigations, including those related to nursing homes.
As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear whether there is an ongoing investigation into Oleske’s claims, as the US Attorney’s Office declined to confirm the existence of any investigation, citing their policy.
