Greenwich Moves Toward Beginning Cos Cob School Investigation

GREENWICH, CT — The town of Greenwich is moving toward finalizing an agreement with Day Pitney LLP, a national law firm with an office in Greenwich, to conduct an independent investigation into Cos Cob School and hiring practices in the school district.

The investigation was called for by First Selectman Fred Camillo last month after a video posted by Project Veritas appeared to show assistant Cos Cob School Principal Jeremy Boland making discriminatory remarks about his personal hiring practices.

The investigation is part of a handful that are being conducted. Greenwich Public Schools has launched an inquiry, along with the state Department of Education and the state attorney general's office.

Additionally, the Greenwich Time reported this week that the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities has initiated an investigation. According to their website, the CHRO's mission is "to eliminate discrimination through civil and human rights law enforcement and to establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons within the state through advocacy and education."

Camillo said Wednesday he hopes the agreement with Day Pitney LLP can be finalized this week.

Last week, the Greenwich Board of Selectmen took an important step in reaching that agreement.

Town attorney Barbara Schellenberg went before the board and explained that Day Pitney has provided advice and may continue to provide advice to Brunswick School in connection with the school's pending tax appeals against the town.

"Consequently, the firm has asked that the town consent to that continued representation while also representing the town and waive any conflicts that may arise therefrom," Schellenberg said. "I don't have any concern about this because I have been assured that these are completely unrelated matters, that the attorneys who would be conducting the investigation for the town have not had any involvement whatsoever with the Brunswick School, [and] would not have any involvement."

Camillo said he didn't see a conflict of interest, and he praised Day Pitney for their reputation.

The board voted two in favor, with Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan abstaining, to waive any actual or potential conflicts of interest.

McGuigan said she wanted more time to think about the matter, but she chose to abstain to not hold up the time sensitive nature of the investigation.

The cost of the investigation to the town is unclear at the moment.

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