4 The QUEE NS Courier • SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Queens Library must pay legal fees to former boss suing them BY THE QUEENS COURIER STAF editorial@qns.com/@QNS The Queens Borough Public Library must compensate its former president and CEO for legal fees in his wrongful termination lawsuit against him. In a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Allyne Ross, the library must pay attorney fees incurred by its former leader, Thomas W. Galante, who was fired in December 2014 for alleged malfeasance. Ross cited the New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, which “allows a director or officer” of a nonprofit “to seek advancement of legal fees when a lawsuit is filed against him for which he may be ultimately be entitled to indemnification.” Galante was employed by Queens Library for 27 years and came under fire in 2014 after reports surfaced that he spent lavishly as the library system itself — one of the largest Former Queens Library President and CEO Thomas W. Galante in the nation — underwent service cutbacks and layoffs due to financial duress. This included a six-figure renovation of his office at the Central branch and expenditures for staff, the latter of which Galante’s attorneys claimed to be fundraising activities. After the Queens Library board of trustees balked at removing Galante from his position in May 2014, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz called for state legislative changes empowering them to make changes on the board. The state legislature passed, and Governor Andrew Cuomo, signed such legislation into law in June, and eight trustees were subsequently removed. A reconstituted Queens Library board suspended Galante in September 2014, then fired him in December over the scandal. Galante then filed a $2 million lawsuit against Queens Library for wrongful termination and breach of contract. The library filed File photo/QNS a countersuit against Galante. In a Sept. 9 letter to the court, Galante’s attorney, Thomas Rohback, indicated that the library has “agreed that Mr. Galante may begin submitting billing statements immediately” and that it would “pay for reasonable fees and costs associated with Mr. Galante’s defense of the counterclaims, and reserves its right to object to the amount sought and/or billing rates.” Photo courtesy of Instagram/The Cheesecake Factory The Cheesecake Factory will open its first NYC location at Queens Center mall on Oct. 25. NYC’s first Cheesecake Factory will open next month in Elmhurst By Angela Matua amatua@qns.com/@AngelaMatua The restaurant that claims to have “something for everyone” will officially open its Queens location and first New York City outpost on Oct. 25. The Courier broke the news of the opening in March and the restaurant will open in a space once occupied by The Children’s Place and a Verizon Wireless store at Elmhurst’s Queens Center mall. According to the chain, the 8,100-square-foot space will have room for approximately 190 guests and will feature The Cheesecake Factory’s signature menu with more than 250 selections. The restaurant will also carry more than 50 cheesecakes and desserts. The company is also looking to hire 285 staff members for positions such as line cooks, prep cooks, bartenders, cashiers, servers, dishwashers, bussers and hosts. This will be the first New York City location for the cheesecake bakery-turned-restaurant. The closest Cheesecake Factory is located at Roosevelt Field Mall in Westbury, Long Island. Photo via Facebook/United States Military Academy at West Point Brandon T. Jackson, 20, of Flushing was a football star at Army and died in a car accident on Sunday morning. Flushing native and football star at West Point remembered after deadly car crash By Robert Pozarycki rpozarycki@qns.com/@robbpoz He got to fulfill a lifelong dream, but his life was cut so tragically short. A member of the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) from Flushing died early on the morning of Sept. 11 in a single-car crash a short distance from West Point in upstate New York, it was announced. Brandon T. Jackson, 20, was a defensive back for the Army’s football team and pursuing a military career when he was killed at about 1:20 a.m. on Sept. 11 in the crash that occurred in the town of Croton-on-Hudson, about 26 miles south of West Point. The incident remains under investigation. Jackson was a cadet in the USMA’s class of 2019 and a member of the E Company’s Second Regiment. He was also a budding star on Army’s football team; he had two tackles and an assist in Army’s 31-14 win over Rice at West Point on the afternoon of Sept. 10. Jackson was also a football star at Flushing’s Holy Cross High School, where he graduated in 2014. Tom Pugh was Holy Cross’ head coach for Jackson’s three years on the school’s varsity team. Pugh said Jackson became an All-City football player and a “quiet leader” of the entire team. “He just did his job every day and was a great teammate,” Pugh said. “He was a kid that nobody didn’t like. Everybody loved him — the teachers, students, teammates. That’s the kind of personality he had. You could always count on him.” Pugh, who also served as Jackson’s guidance counselor, noted that Brandon excelled as a student and on the SATs, turning into a solid recruit for Army. In a statement posted on the school website, Holy Cross noted that “the entire school is in mourning over the untimely, unexpected passing” of Jackson. “We ask that you please pray for his loved ones during this time and speak of Brandon’s amazing smile, accomplishments, and all of the positive memories shared with him. Our hearts are broken,” the statement noted. Away from the football field at the USMA, Jackson was majoring in management in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership and a member of the Cultural Affairs Club. He was an avid bicyclist and loved playing chess and basketball. “Brandon grew up watching Army football on television,” Lieutenant General Robert L. Caslen Jr., superintendent of the USMA, said in a letter to students. “Attending West Point and playing for the Army football team as a defensive back was the culmination of a lifelong dream. Following the example of his mother, an Iraq War veteran and member of the U.S. Army Reserves, Brandon was proud to serve. He represented West Point values in all aspects of his life.” Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
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