Pineda-Isaac Censured for Taping Recordings in Council Offices
City Councilwoman Tasha Diaz
Councilwoman Corazon Pineda-Isaac
By Dan Murphy
The Yonkers City Council held a special meeting on Feb. 8 to remove Councilwoman Tasha Diaz as Majority Leader. The vote to remove Diaz was 6-0 with Diaz not in attendance.
The actions against Diaz come after a period of two weeks when Councilwoman Corazon Pineda-Isaac filed a complaint against Diaz with the Yonkers Human Resources Administration for threats made against her by Diaz.
Pineda-Isaac’s complaint reads, “The workplace in the City Council has become extremely hostile and I must ask that necessary measures must be taken to remedy this situation. This ongoing problem was first documented on May 6, 2022 when I emailed Majority Leader Diaz directly about comments I personally heard her make about me. In that email I detailed inappropriate remarks she was making about me to her staff member Brentin Bullock. The email which I will attach to this communication quotes the Majority Leader as she criticizes my wardrobe, calls me a “backwards bitch” for being cold during the summer months, and most alarming made a violent threat against me by stating she would “smack the taste out of my mouth”.
“The behavior has continued and worsened. On July 19, 2023 I attended an event at Spanglish in my capacity as a Council member as I was there to present a proclamation to the Presidents of the Yonkers Vulcan Society and the Guardian’s Association. It was made aware to me by fellow attendees and police officers that as soon as I walked in the Majority leader became enraged by my presence. At one point the Majority Leader even stated that since I had walked in with my sister and multiple cousins that she, too could call in her cousins as to be ready for a physical altercation. Imagine being at a work event and not realizing there’s potential danger to me and my family for just being there.
“Most recently, former Council President Chuck Lesnick attended the Mayor’s Menorah Lighting at City Hall on December 13, 2023. Mr. Lesnick attempted to discuss a personnel matter with the Majority Leader and offer advice as a former Member of the council. Majority Leader Diaz once again became enraged, assumed that I was responsible for Mr. Lesnick’s actions and proceeded to ask him “did that bitch Corazon put you up to this”. Majority Leader Diaz had no regard for guests that were at city hall, for COY employees or respect for the workplace to not use such vile language when referring to me.
“On January 2, 2024 the council convened to vote on our new set of rules. I was honest on the floor about my reasons for not supporting the Majority Leader for her leadership role. As you are aware commissioner, I am within my rights to vote as I choose. Professional disagreements should not result in violent threats which create at the very least a hostile workplace. However, that is what transpired at the conclusion of that meeting. My colleagues on the council and some of the staff witnessed the Majority Leader of the Yonkers City Council, the third largest city of New York say that she was going to “slit my throat.” When will this come to an end?” wrote Pineda-Isaac.
As a result of Pineda-Issac’s complaint being made public, and a flurry of stories about it, the Council quickly convened to remove Diaz as Majority Leader. There are five democrats on the council, including Diaz. The other four democrats, Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy, and Councilmembers Pineda-Isaac, John Rubbo and Deana Robinson, privately met as a caucus to make their decision.
The full council then voted on the leadership change, which required a change to the council’s Rules. Republican Councilmembers Mike Breen and Anthony Merante joined the four democrats in voting yes to remove Diaz as Majority Leader.
Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy said, “I want to thank my council colleagues for coming to this tough decision. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t made lightly. But some of us were steadfast in our belief that this decision was best for the council and best for the City of Yonkers.
“We have been dealing with a series of unfortunate events that occurred with some of our colleagues on the council, and we decided to move forward with new leadership. I don’t want any of my colleagues to feel that their concerns weren’t heard or taken seriously. They absolutely were….I totally condemn the comments that were made,” said Collins-Bellamy.
Councilman Rubbo, who was named Majority Leader at the meeting said, “I’m sorry that we are here tonight. I thank the council members for their confidence in me. It’s important that we band together and find a way to move forward. We have a lot of work to do for the people. This chamber has 7 members, each of us care for their constituency, and that will continue.”
Councilman Anthony Merante said, “I do agree with the change in leadership. The people of Yonkers deserve that. It should never have happened, and we will try to move forward with lessons learned.”
After the vote to remove Diaz and elect Rubbo, a surprise ensued. Majority Leader Rubbo introduced a resolution to censure Councilwoman Pineda-Isaac for recording conversations in council chambers and office of council members.
“We are addressing some of the issues that have come before us and played out in the press. And we have decided to act on one of those. But we also find ourselves with one councilmember recording another councilmember who was having a conversation with staff. We don’t accept that and don’t condone that.
“While the council doesn’t approve of the language that we recorded, we do have a right to privacy when the door is closed,” said Rubbo. “We condemn the actions of recording another member when they are in their office having conversations.”
Councilwoman Deana Robinson said, “Nothing about any of these decisions were easy. I have a great relationship with everyone on the council, so this was bothersome for me. I believe in moving forward in grace and love and I don’t see a lot of love here tonight. I hope we can bring back integrity and do what is best for the people of the city.”
An emotional Councilwoman Pineda-Issac said, “I thought today was going to be about someone’s actions and consequences, and the council sending a message. That happened in part.
“But there is also a resolution to censure Councilwoman Corazon Pineda-Isaac, and that I should issue a public apology.
“But there is no resolution censuring Tasha Diaz or asking her to apologize. This behavior was known by anyone who came close to Tasha Diaz. This behavior festered and grew and worsened.
“My email created a chain reaction and others came forward and spoke about what happened to them.
“This is victim shaming. I should apologize?
“I did not want to relive this. This is embarrassing for me; I don’t like confrontation and I don’t get into personal conflicts with folks.
“Today feels like a sad day because of the message you are sending to city workers and the city,” said Pineda-Isaac.
Council President Collins-Bellamy said, “While I understand why the council wants to censure our colleague, I know why our council colleague felt the need to do what she did. This is a reprimand for recording, but I understand why it was done.”
The vote to censure Pineda-Issac was 4-2 with Merante and Pineda-Isaac voting no.
