...really, who can you trust? The Albany Times Union blew the bottom out of Ward B. Stone's reputation yesterday with an article that chronicles the celebrated scientist's dark side:
What is less known about the 71-year-old scientist at the state's Wildlife Resources Center in southern Albany County, except among co-workers and state investigators, is that he has a long history of allegations of abusive, unethical and inappropriate behavior, ranging from berating colleagues to shooting animals, and has been repeatedly faulted by his frustrated superiors, according to interviews and records.
Stone's sins include "using state funds to feed and care for his pets and of him abusing staff." Some of his alleged misdeeds, such as dodging debt collectors while living out of his office, are quite sad:
Eventually, the office became to so filled with Stone's belongings, debris and other material that Stone expanded his living quarters. He moved next door to a clerk's office and then to the office of a secretary. The secretary filed a Human Rights Division complaint against Stone and complained to DEC superiors about coming to work each day to find Stone's personal things, such as dirty socks and clothing and a "pornographic" magazine, and witnessing him toweling himself off after stepping from the shower.
In the story, a Department of Environmental Conservation staffer accuses the DEC's Commissioner, Pete Grannis, of protecting Stone. In response, DEC staff issued a no-comment:
DEC spokesman Yancey Roy had no response from Grannis but insisted "as the agency has become aware of potential issues, it has taken action to address them." He said the department is involved in an ongoing disciplinary action against Stone but would not provide details.
Those details may be forthcoming soon. The Times Union's article has prompted an investigation into Stone's conduct by the New York Inspector General, according to the Daily Freeman. But Stone has already fired back today in an interview with Fox 23, in which he accuses his detractors of sour grapes:
"I have problems with them now, even before this article," he said. "Because they aren't good enough to be in pathology."
