By Rockland News Staff
July 14, 2026

NEW CITY, N.Y. — The Town of Clarkstown says an ethics investigation into its director of engineering began months before he raised concerns about billing under a multimillion-dollar contract with Siemens, directly challenging his contention that he was placed on leave in retaliation for questioning the use of taxpayer funds.

Town Attorney Kevin Conway said in a statement Tuesday that Michael Gianatasio, Clarkstown’s director of Engineering and Facilities Management, was placed on paid administrative leave after an independent investigation allegedly uncovered undisclosed private business interests and potential conflicts involving companies that sought to work with the town.

The allegations have been referred to the Clarkstown Ethics Board. No final determination has been issued, and Gianatasio has not been charged with a crime.

The competing accounts present sharply different explanations for why Gianatasio was removed from his position. The town portrays him as an official attempting to deflect attention from an investigation that was already underway. Gianatasio says he was targeted after identifying what he considered substantial and unsupported labor charges connected to Siemens’ work for Clarkstown.