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Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino is under scrutiny following allegations of "pay-to-play" practices. According to documents obtained by Mid-Hudson News, Serino awarded a $75,000 contract to a campaign donor who claims to be a "senior advisor" to the county executive. The donor, Barbara Citarella, is the owner of RBC Limited and has contributed over $4,100 to Serino's campaigns between 2022 and 2024. Citarella's social media profile indicates she served as a "Special Projects Advisor" from August 2024 to July 2025 and became a "Senior Advisor" in May 2025.
The contract, authorized by Serino's office, was executed in March and is set to run through December, with options for two one-year extensions. It pays Citarella $225 per hour, capped at $75,000, for strategic policy support, including areas like corporate compliance, childcare, and emergency response.
In response to questions about the contract, Serino’s Communications Director, Colleen Pillius, stated that the county adhered to its procurement policy, which follows New York State guidelines. The allegations come after Serino’s Deputy County Executive, Rachel Kashimer, was found using her office to solicit donations for a non-profit event. Kashimer has since left her position and is now the deputy commissioner of Human Resources for the county.