Former East Hampton Town Police Officer Andrea Kess sues over her firing

A former East Hampton Town police officer has filed a lawsuit alleging she was suspended from her union and ultimately fired for speaking out about gender discrimination and misconduct within the department.

Andrea Kess, who served as an officer from 2016 until her termination in April of last year, claims in a complaint filed in Suffolk County Supreme Court that town officials and the East Hampton Town Police Benevolent Association engaged in a coordinated effort to punish her after she reported what she described as a hostile work environment and an unequal treatment of female officers.

Kess was punished “because she opposed discrimination, preserved evidence, disclosed evidence, challenged the [town], and continued asserting protected rights,” her Manhattan attorney, Eric Sanders, said in a statement. The lawsuit was filed against East Hampton Town, town board members, Police Chief Michael Sarlo, Capt. Christopher Anderson, the town Police Benevolent Association and PBA officials. 

In a statement, the town’s labor attorney, Vincent Toomey, said Kess' termination was recommended by a hearing officer after a town proceeding found her guilty of seven disciplinary charges.

“The Town Board holds the East Hampton Police Department in the highest regard and deeply values the dedication and professionalism of its members,” said Toomey, speaking on behalf of the town and police. “The conduct that led to Ms. Kess’ termination does not reflect the standards or commitment demonstrated by its officers. The allegations against the Department and its members are meritless.”

The East Hampton Town Police Benevolent Association declined to comment.

Lawsuit: EEOC complaints filed

According to the lawsuit, Kess began raising concerns internally before filing a series of complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission starting in May 2023. Those filings alleged gender discrimination, retaliation and a pattern of denying women advancement opportunities within the department.

The lawsuit alleges that, rather than investigating her claims, the Town of East Hampton responded with a position statement to federal investigators that Kess said was misleading and retaliatory. She said the document was crafted to undermine her credibility, justify prior actions and create a narrative later used against her, the lawsuit says.

That response marked the start of broader retaliation, the lawsuit alleges. In August 2024, the police union brought internal disciplinary charges against Kess, accusing her of acting against its interests by disclosing recordings, text messages and other materials connected to her discrimination claims, the lawsuit says.

The union ultimately suspended her membership for six months, limiting her access to representation and internal protections, according to the lawsuit.

Shortly afterward, the town initiated its own disciplinary process, according to the lawsuit. Anderson brought multiple disciplinary charges  against Kess, according to a hearing officer’s report on Kess issued to the town board and provided to Newsday.

Anderson said Kess' “surreptitious” recording of fellow officers, and a subsequent article on Sanders’ blog alleging a “boys club” culture in the department, had a “chilling effect on communications,” leading to a decline in operational efficiency and an “air of distrust and paranoia,” according to the report.

The blog article also referenced a meeting with a confidential informant and identified an undercover officer, undermining relationships with other law enforcement agencies, risking the officer’s safety and lowering morale, according to the hearing officer’s report.

Neither Kess nor Sanders appeared at the disciplinary hearing or entered any evidence, the report said. The hearing officer found Kess guilty of all charges. The findings were adopted by the town board, and Kess was fired on April 1, 2025.

Other arguments

Kess’ lawsuit argues that her handling and publication of materials related to her complaints are protected under anti-discrimination laws. She alleges that the disciplinary proceedings were not a neutral review but were structured to build a case for her termination.

The lawsuit claims the actions taken by the town and the union were closely coordinated and intended to punish Kess for her complaints, isolate her from support systems and discourage other employees from coming forward.

Kess also alleges that male officers accused of more serious misconduct — including integrity violations, excessive force and other alleged wrongdoing — were treated more leniently.

The suit seeks damages under New York State and Suffolk County human rights laws, including for claims of retaliation, aiding and abetting unlawful conduct, and interference with protected rights.

The case is separate from a related federal lawsuit filed by Kess in 2024, which remains ongoing.