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Mayor Donchess
May 8, 2019
Page 2

To alleviate that vacuum, at a March 7, 2019 Special Aldermen meeting on that
Assessment Management Audit Report, you stated that, in the interim and in defense of
eliminating the Chief Assessor position, “There is a supervisor Assessor, certified as a supervisor
in the Assessing Office who can serve as sort of a working supervisor.” This statement
obviously referred to Greg since he is the only certified supervisor in the Assessing Department.

In response, Ms. Ortolano raised the concern that having both Greg and Gary Turgiss
working in the same department violated the City’s anti-nepotism policy, and that elevating
either to supervise the other a/so violated that policy. Section 4.01 of the policy states,
“Individuals who are related are permitted to work for the City of Nashua, provided that no_
direct reporting or supervisory/management relationship exists.” (The italics and underlining
are not mine; they are in the policy.) Section 4.02 states, “No relatives are permitted to work in
the same department or in any other positions in which the Human Resources Department
believes an inherent conflict of interest may exist.” As you are likely aware, the Turgiss brothers
have worked in the Assessing Department for over two decades. The City’s Human Resources
Director, Larry Budreau, stated, however, that there was no conflict interest, and thus this
situation did not violate the City’s anti-nepotism policy.

The City has recently continued to express support for Greg and the Assessing
Department. At the most recent Board of Aldermen meeting on April 30, 2019, Louise Brown,
an Administrative Specialist, explained that, due to Greg’s “hard work, education, and lengthy
experience,” he was elevated from a DRA Certified Property Assessor to a DRA Certified
Property Assessor Supervisor in 2018. In this role, Greg apparently executes numerous critical
duties for the Department, including, but not limited to, general supervision over re-evaluation
projects, conducting sales surveys, establishing base values for land and buildings, preparing
sales surveys, establishing charts to be used in re-evaluations, preparing reports, supervising
informal reviews of property assessments with property owners, and oversight over any re-
evaluation by assisting the City to ensure the re-evaluation is performed in accordance with
applicable law. In particular, Ms. Brown remarked that she has worked with Greg from 2000 to
the present, and his “growth in the Department is something to aspire to.” She further praised
Greg as “one of the top individuals I have been able to depend on with the changes that have
occurred within” the Department.

At that same meeting, Greg provided his own comments after Ms. Brown. He explained
this period of time is “a very busy time with the April 1* tax date and July bills going out,” and
he explained many of the functions the Department was performing for that purpose. The Acting
Administrative Services Director, Kim Kleiner, made a few remarks after Greg: she explained
the Assessing Department is “extremely busy,” and “you have a group of people that are working
extremely hard to get information and applications processed and reviewed |for abatements].”
Then, the President of the Board of Aldermen, Lori Wilshire, remarked that “the people down [in
the Assessing Department] are working hard, everyone wants to do a good job for the residents.”

' While we understand your Chief of Staff, Kim Kleiner, is currently overseeing the Assessing Department as the
“Acting Administrative Services Director,” Ms. Kleiner has no assessing credentials or experience. It is like asking
a lawyer to oversee a doctor’s office.

Mayor Donchess
May 8, 2019
Page 3

She commended “the staff down there for stepping up and wanting to do better and mak[e]
changes that are going to be positive for them and the City.”

Finally, you bestowed additional praise on Greg during Ms. Kleiner’s interview this past
Monday evening. During the interview, Alderwoman Shoshanna Kelly asked how the City
addresses the day-to-day issues that might arise in the Assessing Department as well as public
concerns. You responded, ‘“‘Well we have qualified assessors working in the assessing _
department. They are qualified and certified to answer the demands of the job.... We have the
expertise within the department to do these jobs.”

Ms. Ortolano has, nevertheless, remained concerned about the Assessing Department
and, specifically, Greg’s work ethic and behavior. For example, she has always noticed Greg
exhibit a pattern of behavior in his day-to-day work schedule: Greg leaves City Hall every day at
approximately 12 noon and does not return until 3 or 4 p.m., on the representation that he is
performing “field work.” There are also numerous abnormalities in his assessing practices,
including disparities between the values assigned to various properties and information contained
in corresponding property cards.

Accordingly, Ms. Ortolano hired a private investigating firm, Freyler Investigations,
LLC, in late March to follow and review Greg’s behavior and, ultimately confirm her suspicions
regarding him. A surveillance report, dated April 26, 2019, concerning Greg’s behavior is
attached to this letter (“Freyler Report”). In addition, Ms. Ortolano performed her own
investigation to assist Freyler. Her own report is also attached to this letter.

These reports, unfortunately, not only do not surprise us with respect to Greg’s day-to-
day activities, but they deeply alarm us, should concern Nashua taxpayers, and undermine
virtually all of the accolades recently bestowed on Greg by the City.

These reports demonstrate that, during a period of investigation from April 1 — 26, 2019
(a full month, during which there were 20 business days), the investigator and Ms. Ortolano
personally witnessed and observed Greg take extended breaks on nearly half (eight) of those
days during work hours. During those breaks, he either parked his car in the parking area at the
Rail Trial at the end of Country Side Drive in Nashua and napped or smoked cigarettes for
approximately 2-2.5 hours (on April 11, 15, and 23), or parked his car in a parking lot at a
Holiday Inn on 9 Northeastern Blvd. in Nashua and remained there either napping or smoking
cigarettes, also for 1-2 hours (on April 18, 19, 22, 25, and 26).

The investigator and Ms. Ortolano also observed that, on April 1-3, 5, and 8-10, Greg
disappeared from City Hall for similar gaps in time (from approximately 12 noon until 2 or 3
p.m.) and followed similar driving routes either near or in the direction of the Rail Trail and the
Holiday Inn, but the investigator and Ms. Ortolano lost track of him and, thus, could not confirm
whether Greg engaged in the same activities (taking extended breaks to nap and smoke)
described above. These reports do explain, however, that before the investigator and Ms.
Ortolano lost track of Greg on those days, they observed Greg drive aimlessly around the City
and perform very little field work.

Mayor Donchess
May 8, 2019
Page 4

The most alarming aspect of this behavior is that Greg reported, during his absences on
all eight days detailed above, that he was, at least in large part, performing “field work.” On the
sign out board in the Assessing Department, Greg reported he was leaving the office to perform
field work for at least a large part of the time he was absent on all eight days. For example, page
3 of Ms. Ortolano’s report contains a photograph of that sign out board as it appeared on April
19, 2019. The row for Greg states, in the “Out” column, “FIELD,” which presumably means he
would be performing “field work” for the period of time he was absent. In addition, page 4 of
Ms. Ortolano’s report and page 19 of the Freyler Report both contain a photograph of the same
sign out board as it appeared on April 22, 2019. The row for Greg states, in the “Out” column,
that he is “OTL/FIELD,” and the “In” column states “P.M.” “OTL” presumably stands for “Out
to Lunch,” but Greg also denoted “FIELD” — again, presumably to mean he was performing
“field work” — for the period of time he was absent. The reports above clearly demonstrate,
however, that he did not perform any field work on April 19 or 22 and little to no field work on
any other day; rather, on both days, he was parked outside the Holiday Inn performing absolutely
no field work and returned to City Hall at 1:36 p.m. on April 19 and 3:01 p.m. on April 22, and
on the other days he was either napping in the Rail Trail parking lot or spending time in the
Holiday Inn parking lot.

This behavior calls into question Greg’s performance of his duties and many of his
practices, including, but not limited to, his assessments of properties, review of residential
abatements, representation of the City at the BTLA in abatement appeals, and his preparation and
submission of expense reports.

As noted above and in Ms. Ortolano’s past communications with the City, Greg’s
property assessments feature many irregularities: there is a disconnect between the assessed
values assigned to these properties and upgrades and other features contained in corresponding
property cards. It is possible Greg has engaged in the behavior above on a consistent basis for
some time now. If that is true, it is possible Greg likely has not visited the properties he claims
to have assessed and, thus, has relied on other (improper) means to evaluate properties.

Greg’s expense reports should also be called into question: If Greg is leaving City Hall
and performing no field work, then any expense reports detailing mileage and/or other expenses
for those periods of time are obviously fraudulent.

Finally, Greg’s recent behavior calls into question his and the Department’s ability to
address and evaluate the record number of abatement applications the City received this year. If
Greg is devoting minimal time to his day-to-day functions, the Department — at least in part — is
unlikely to be able to process these applications (particularly the applications assigned to Greg)
in an efficient manner, or not at all, and devote any measurable attention to them. This would be
a disservice to the citizens in Nashua and force them to devote additional resources to appeals of
any abatement applications that the Department denies.

‘Mayor Donchess
May 8, 2019
Page 5

I request that the City dismiss Greg from his position immediately, investigate his
expense reports and other activities he undertook while on City time, and undertake any
additional action it deems necessary to address this behavior.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Fojo

ce: Chient
John Griffin
Kim Kleiner
Steven A. Bolton, Esq.
Celia K. Leonard, Esq.

nasndua rOLLCe Department

fe Incident Report
es)

mane Incident #: 06-69440-OF
. Call #: 06-69440

“Date/time Reported:

Report Date/Time:
Occurred Between:
Status:

Involves:
Reporting Officer:
Approving Officer:

Signature:

Signature:

{2 SANTA, MICHAEL

DOB:
_ LICENSE NUMBER:
2 TURGISS, GREG

DOR:
LICENSE NUMBER:

SACS ae

10/16/2006 0930
10/22/2006 1359
10/02/2006 0800-10/13/2006 1600
Ineident Unfounded

Sex Crimes
MASTER PATROLMAN KEVIN LANDRY
LIEUTENANT RAYMOND MCDANNELL

; - apes

Tit hd

“ Page: i

05/09/2019

PLACE OF SIRTH:

ETHNICITY:

We
>

xy

PLACE 75 BIRTH:
ETHNICITY:

LOCATION TYPE: Government/Public Building Ione: Sector 4
CITY HALL
229 MAIN ST
NASHUA NH 03060
1 CHILD PORNOGRAPHY (INTERNET) N Felony
643-38 2,1 8B

OCCURRED: 10/02/2006

1 JOYCE, JANE
DOB:
EMPLOYER:

2 BARKER, JOHN
DOB:

EMPLOYER:

osct

REPORTING PARTY 57 NOT AVATI:

OTHER 48 NOT AVAIZ

wasnua Police Department Pages 1
10-16-06 - 0945 HOURS - JANE JOYCE
Ref: 06-69440-OF

On 16 October 06 at approximately 0945 hours I met Jane Joyce, at the Human Resources
, Office in City Hall located at 229 Main Street Nashua, NH.. Ms. Joyce informed me that the Information
' Technology Manager at City Hall, John Barker had informed her during early October that he identified a
' problem with the systems fire wall. Ms. Joyce advised that John Barker would be monitoring the situation in
attempt to resolve the problems. Ms. Joyce reported that she then met with John Barker in furtherance and he
" reported to her that he identified two City Hall employees to be viewing pornography on the work station
computers. She reported that the activity was significant. Ms. Joyce identified the two employees as follows:

Michael Santa,
, NH.
Mike Santa is employed as the City of Nashua Building Safety Manager.

Greg Turgiss,
MA.
Greg Turgiss is employed as a City of Nashua Tax Accessor.

Ms. Joyce provided documents related to the Evidence of pornography that was being viewed as follows.
| She provided a photo copy of reports from a Web Sense reporting tool that was provided to her by John Barker.
- The reports are provided for both Michael Santa and Greg Turgiss. The reports detail specific pornographic sights
_ that are viewed on the work station computers. The date beginning on the reports are 10-02-06 and the date

ending on the report is 10-11-06. There are hundreds of various pornographic sights viewed over several hours.
_ These reports are submitted to included in the case file.
i
|
Ms. Joyce provided personal data sheets for Michael Santa and Greg Turgiss. Ms. Joyce provided an
acknowledgement of receipt of Tele Communications and Network Resources Policy for both Mike Santa and

Greg Turgiss. These mentioned items are submitted to be included in the case file.

Ms. Joyce reported that she had met with John Barker at which time she had an opportunity to view just a
few of the actual sights that had been visited. She stated she observed that these sights were certainly
pornographic and that she had done the viewing for confirmation in order to apply administrative disciplinary
action against the employees. She reported that she viewed adult pornography and had not seen anything re! ative
to child pornography. Ms. Joyce reported that on Friday 13 October 06 she interviewed both Greg Turgiss and
Mike Santa as part of her administrative duties. Ms. Joyce reported the following results of the interviews. Ms.
Joyce reported that she interviewed Greg Turgiss at approximately 0830 hours. Ms. Joyce reported that also
present in the interview was the Divisional Supervisor Angelo Marino and Manager Bob Blakeman. Ms. Jovee
reported that Greg Turgiss was very nervous during the interview. She reported that he seemed very shaken ar ns
had turned a grayish color. She reported that Greg Turgiss was honest and up front when questioned about 1
situation, She reported that he acknowledge that he knew why he was there. Ms. Joyce reported that they ha!
evidence that Turgiss had also been chatting. She questioned in reference to the possibility of having been 7a)xin 1
to minors. She reported that Turgiss told her that he had not spoken to any minors to his knowledge. Ms. Jevce
reported that during the course of the interview she learned from Angelo Marino and Bob Blakeman tha: Preiss
had been warned for viewing pornography approximately five months prior to this incident. Ms, Joyce repor.

she had no knowledge of this warning until the interview process. Ms. Joyce reported that at the conclusion - aT Sc

interview Turgiss was placed on administrative leave and sent home.

wasuue £OLLce Veparcment Page: 1
10-16-06 1905 HOURS ~ GREG TURGISS
Ref: 06-69440-OF

On 160ct06 at approximately 1905 Hours, I responded to the Lobby of the Nashua Police Department and

' made contact with Greg Turgiss. Mr. Turgiss had voluntarily responded to the Station in order to discuss the

pornographic material that had been located on his computer at City Hall and had already received a Visitor's
Badge. I therefore escorted him to YSD Interview Room #2 and Detective T. Bergeron and I interviewed him

reference the matter. Mr. Turgiss' information is as follows:

Greg Turgiss

.MA

City of Nashua Tax Assessor's Office
City Hall
Nashua, NH
603-589-3040

Upon interviewing Mr. Turgiss, he acknowledged using the City’s internet service to view adult pornography
and to chat online during work hours, He stated that he has been doing so on a daily basis for a couple years for

_ varying periods of time. He further advised that he was confronted once before by an administrator and ordered

to stop. Mr. Turgiss stated that he stopped for a couple weeks but again started using the City's internet service

. to view adult pornography and to chat online. He stated that he sometimes uses the system to view

pornographic material for several hours at a time.

Mr. Turgiss claimed to have no preference when looking at the pornographic material. He stated that he

‘ mostly viewed "straight sex" material but also viewed "gay" material. He advised that he would often begin in

the "Project Voyeur" chat room and would click on the links from there. He stated that "Project Voyeur" is an

: open sex chat room with a disclaimer that chatters have to be at least 18 years of age. Nevertheless, he

acknowledged using different identities in the room (he explained that he would often get more activity if he
posed as a bi-sexual female) and that it was possible the underage people could enter the chat room. .

we

When asked about underage content, Mr. Turgiss denied that he had any interest in the material. However.

, he stated that he may have viewed images of 15 and 16 year old girls but claimed that he did not actively seek it
. oul. Mr, Turgiss explained that his belief was based upon the girls' appearances. He stated that some of the

girls had ponytails and "acted" immature. However, he stated that he thought that they were 18 year old women
pretending to be younger. Moreover, he stated that this constituted only a minute portion of the pornographic
material that he viewed and denied downloading any of the images. Mr. Turgiss indicated that these images
would merely pop-up as a result of him randomly clicking links that appeared when he was viewing
pornography, Mr. Turgiss admitted that he is addicted to pornography but stated that he never actively sought

_ out child pornography.

After obtaining a formal statement from Mr. Turgiss (it was recorded on DVD), I asked for consent to
examine his home computer for inappropriate content and presented him with a Nashua Police Department
Consent to Search Form, Mr, Turgiss reviewed the form and voluntarily agreed to turn his home computer over
to the Nashua Police Department for inspection. Detecive Bergeron and | therefore followed Mr. Turgiss back

Nashua Police Department
10-16-06 1905 HOURS - GREG TURGISS
Ref: 06-69440-O0F

to his residence. After Mr. Turgiss had informed his wife, Michelle Turgiss, reference the situation, I presented
' her with a Nashua Police Department Consent to Search Form. Ms. Turgiss reviewed the form and also granted
_ permission to inspect it. Detective Bergeron and I therefore took custody of the Compaq Presario SR1403 WM
: ) and ended our contact. Investigation ongoing.

Detective Jonathan B. Lehto D-36

wamuua £ULLCEe veparcment Page: 1
10-17-06 - 0800 HOURS - INFO RECEIVED

Ref: 06-69440-OF

On 17 Oct 06 at approximately 0800 hours

, | received information from Det. Lehto that he and Det. Bergeron had made contact with a Greg

- Turgiss during their shift on 16 Oct 06. Turgiss was interviewed and his personal home computer was
seized after consent. Cite supplemental reports by Det. Lehto for additional information.

Nothing further this report.

: Detective Kevin Landry, D-32

Nashua Police Department Page: i
10-17-06 - 1330 HOURS - PERSONAL COMPUTERS
Ref: 06-69440-OF

On 17 Oct 06 at approximately 1330 hours
| met with Brian Rae of the Information Technology Division of the Nashua Police Department. |
requested Brian’s assistance in viewing the content on the Santa and Turgiss personal computers.
The computers were hooked up in the IT Division. We were unable to view content on the Santa
computer due to the DOS program and the incompatibility of the keyboards that we had.

The Turgiss computer, a Compact Presario SR1403WM, was viewed. There
: was no evidence of any pornography found on the Turgiss computer, and further, no evidence of child
‘ pornography.

Nothing further this report.

; Detective Kevin Landry, D-32