Greece Police Chief Michael Wood has accused the town of coordinating a months-long scheme to illegally force him out of the department.
Wood has been on administrative leave since May, when town officials announced an investigation into past misconduct allegations against an officer Wood hired as his second-in-command.
In a notice of claim filed July 20, however, Wood said efforts to push him out of the department began weeks earlier, on March 11, when Town Supervisor Jeff McCann allegedly demanded his resignation for unclear reasons.
We have reached out to the Town of Greece for a response. Town officials have previously said the investigation is ongoing and have defended the decision to place Wood on administrative leave.
Wood alleged Greece
officials later refused to negotiate a severance package and stopped filing pension waivers in an attempt to force his hand.
After both efforts failed, Wood alleges, the town pursued an illegitimate investigation into "dated, discredited allegations that do and will show no misconduct on (Wood's) part," the filing states.
That investigation is still ongoing, and details are limited. It involves a 2022 New York State Police report that accused former Deputy Chief Naser Zenelovic of stalking a former colleague. But it is still unclear when town officials learned of the allegations or how exactly Wood is connected.
Wood said the town has refused to share a copy of the report with him or his attorneys.
In a statement released alongside the claim Aug. 5, Wood said he "became the target of an unnecessary and politically motivated investigation," and said he is working to clear his name and restore his reputation.
— Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle with a focus on immigration, police accountability, government surveillance and how people are impacted by violence. Follow her on Instagram @bykaylacanne. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Wood says Greece sought his resignation before investigation
