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Queens Borough President, De Blasio Oust 8 Queens Library Trustees

QUEENS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz sacked eight library trustees who were opposed to firing Queens Library head Thomas Galante, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.

Queens Borough President, De Blasio Oust 8 Queens Library Trustees

"You couldn't get the documents out of the library, the city comptroller had no transparency, they were not able to audit it," Katz said. "There are grand jury subpoenas that are outstanding on the Queens Library and yet these trustees wanted to keep the same executive director as head of the library at the same salary and all the same perks."

Galante is paid $392,000 a year, Lamb reported.

"I believe for the good of this public library, the Queens Library, Mr. Galante should step aside, the trustees at the library should make sure that happens and an executive director should be placed that has the confidence and the  trust of the City of New York," Katz said.

Katz said Galante's contract was written so that each day, it renews itself for another five years and calls for a $2 million severance.

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