I recently secured a copy of the October 14, 2024, interview by Saratoga Springs Police Lieutenant Paul Veitch of former Public Works Commissioner Jason Golub that was part of the investigation into Golub’s use of city employees to do work at a property Golub owned. The transcript reveals a very different Jason Golub than the public usually saw. His language is laced with epithets, his behavior angry, petulant, and unprofessional.
Background
Golub’s use of city employees to work on a residence he owned is thoroughly explored in this earlier post. As a reminder, below are excerpts from the city’s Human Resources Department that found Golub guilty of improper use of city employees.
Contrast this with Golub’s remark to Veitch.
The Plumbers Statement
This is the statement that the plumber made to Lieutenant Veitch. It conflicts with Jason Golub’s. According to the plumber, he and a second city employee went to Golub’s house on the second day, not once but twice. The second visit lasted half an hour, not eight minutes. Unlike Jason, the plumber remembers clearly what happened on the second day. The two snakes the plumber used were the city’s property, as was the liquid used to clear the drain. They were also in a city truck.
The plumber is also clear that Jason Golub did not pay him for the work over two days.
Golub’s Memory
As these excerpts document, unlike the plumber, Jason Golub had a lot of trouble remembering the events, particularly of the second day. In this first excerpt, he doesn’t remember that the plumber came on the second day, that Golub let him in, that he came a second time for thirty minutes, accompanied by another employee, and that Golub let him in.
Mr. Shreiber, in the documents, is Golub’s lawyer.
Why Would The Plumber Perform Work On Golub’s Home For Free?
In the interview, Golub states several times that he did not know the plumber before the plumber came to the house to fix the sink.
The plumber performed the work because Joe O’Neill, Golub’s deputy, directed the plumber to be there, prompted by Golub. It is clear from the interview that the plumber did not go to Golub’s home because he knew the Commissioner and wanted to help him as a friend.
Golub Did Not Pay The City Plumber For The Drain Work
So if the plumber was at his home, allegedly not on city time, and they had no personal connection, like a friendship, why didn’t Golub offer to pay the plumber? For that matter, why didn’t the plumber ask to be paid?
Golub has conflicting explanations.
Note that at one point, he claims to have paid him the first time he came to his home.
The plumber returned on an unspecified date for a third time to work on Golub’s water heater. This is when he allegedly paid the plumber $200.00.
Golub Has No Idea Whether The Plumber Used A City Vehicle to Visit His House On Either Visit Or Where The Liquid Declogger Came From
Plumber’s Alleged Threats
Golub claims that the plumber sent him threatening texts and emails. The implication was that the plumber was supposedly trying to extort him.
So, after telling Veitch he had received threatening emails, he later says they only communicated by text messages.
When Veitch asks to see these texts and emails, Golub says he deleted them. When Veitch asks whether the threats are on the city server, Golub says no.
So somehow the plumber got Golub’s personal cell phone number and private email address.
Golub did, however, go out for coffee with the plumber to try to get him off his back.
Golub’s Lawyer Cherry Picked
Golub’s lawyer is promoting the narrative that Jason Golub’s victimization is being driven by Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Coll. He references a comment by Veitch, “I totally agree. This is a big pile of what the fuck.” Of course, Golub’s lawyer is aware that interrogators will try to ingratiate themselves with the interviewee to build trust.
The lawyer disregards the section of the transcript in which Veitch observes that Golub could be charged with petty larceny or official misconduct.
It is interesting that when Golub complains that the Public Safety Department is leaking damaging stuff to the press. Veitch sharply denies this.
Saratoga Springs Politics 
I am confused. I read the entire interview. Jason Golub was very concerned that contents of the interview would be released to the public. Paul Veitch assures him that it would be seen only by his superiors in the SSPD and the DA. But here it is for all to see. It would have been better if all parties had expressed themselves in a more professional manner.
Chris Mathiesen
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But isnt information like this in the public domain anyway. Seems similar to a different commissioner hiding information that should have been readily available. Rules for thee but not for me.
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Chris:
The interview was part of the documents submitted by Golub’s attorney in his article 78 suit. His lawyer, Oscar Schrieber should have warned him that if he was charged it would all be part of the record.
In fact both Schrieber and Golub should have known better than agree to the interview in the first place.
JK
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