State Sen. Tony Avella has called for the resignation of Thomas Galante. Credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
State Sen. Tony Avella is urging Queens Library President Thomas Galante to step down following reports about an undisclosed side job and questionable spending at the library.
The New York Daily News reported that Avella wrote a letter to Galante on Monday stating, “I urge you to consider the interests of the library and its patrons, and resign.”
The letter came a day after a report that Galante secretly worked as a business consultant to Elmont Union Free School District in Long Island, making $287,100 over the course of 22 months.
The arrangement is “unacceptable and raises questions about conflict of interest,” Avella wrote.
The News reported last month that Galante spent $140,000 last year to renovate his offices on the second floor of the Queens Central Library in Jamaica, which includes a private rooftop deck. He also earned a $392,000 salary, up $12,000 from the previous year.
“I was shocked to learn of your $392,000 salary, which by any common sense standards is out of line for your position,” Avella wrote.
The state senator has not received a response from Galante, a spokesman said.
