Spa City DPW deputy suspended after pleading not guilty to misconduct

The deputy public works commissioner for Saratoga Springs has been suspended for five days without pay after his arrest on official misconduct charge, the city announced Thursday.

Joseph O’Neill is accused of allowing an employee to do work for then-Public Works Commissioner Jason Golub on city time.

Golub’s attorney told NewsChannel 13 previously that allegation is based on a city worker helping unclog a sink using Draino.

O’Neill pleaded not guilty in Saratoga Springs City Court on Thursday morning to the charge. He is due back in court in two weeks.

Public Works Commissioner Hank Kuczynski took office on Oct. 29 after being appointed by the Saratoga Springs City Council. The position had been vacant after Golub resigned to take a state job.

Kuczynski said that he has reviewed the report compiled by human resources and interviewed O’Neill. He concluded that there were two violations of the city’s code of ethics in the spring of 2023 and on or about Jan. 16, 2024.

The suspension is effective immediately.

“As long as I serve as the Commissioner of Public Works, I will work to preserve accountability, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated,” Kuczynski said in a statement.

Golub is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 26.