Sendrowski vs Carmignani civil suit settled

Dudley - The case of former Dudley Board of Selectmen Chairman Joseph E. Sendrowski against Dudley Town Treasurer Richard Carmignani was settled Monday, in advance of a jury trial scheduled to begin that day in Worcester Superior Court. The lawsuit charged Mr. Carmignani with defamation of character and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Mr. Sendrowski said, “This has been a long process fighting for my reputation. The case is settled. There is a confidentiality agreement in place and I cannot discuss the terms of settlement. I will say that I am very happy with the results in this case."

The settlement is the culmination of a series of events that began in 2005 with an affidavit and recall petition signed by five Dudley residents, alleging that Mr. Sendrowski had abused his power as a selectman.

A recall election was held on September 13 of that year. Mr. Sendrowski was recalled, and replaced by Steven Sullivan, who is the current chairman of the board.

In April 2006 Mr. Sendrowski’s attorney Michael V. Caplette of Southbridge filed a civil lawsuit on his behalf against the five people who had filed the affidavit and recall petition, claiming defamation of character.

During the ensuing discovery process it appeared that Mr. Carmignani had also been involved in the preparation of the affidavit, and he was added to the lawsuit. Mr. Sendrowski’s case against the original defendants were either settled or dismissed, and only the case against Mr. Carmignani remained.

Mr. Carmignani did not wish to comment.