NYC Principal and Partner Fined for Ethics Violations
The city Conflicts of Interest Board sanctioned a principal who used her position to benefit a domestic partner.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Administration
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In September 2026, the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board imposed fines totaling $11,750 on a principal and her partner for violating ethics regulations. Bridget Garzaniti and Curtis Williams, who have lived together since 2017, were found to have bypassed conflict-of-interest policies regarding employment benefits.
Why it matters
The case highlights strict prohibitions in the City Charter and Department of Education regulations against public servants using their authority to financially benefit individuals with whom they share a domestic relationship. These rules exist to ensure impartiality and maintain public trust in school administration.
Bridget Garzaniti approved nearly 200 hours of overtime for Curtis Williams in 2024, resulting in $12,000 in additional pay. The board subsequently issued fines of $7,500 to Garzaniti and $4,250 to Williams for these documented policy breaches.
The players
Bridget Garzaniti
She is the former principal of the High School of Arts and Technology who faced disciplinary action for ethics violations.
Curtis Williams
He is a school employee who received overtime pay and tenure recommendations from his domestic partner.
New York City Conflicts of Interest Board
This is the city agency responsible for enforcing ethics laws and investigating potential conflicts of interest among municipal employees.
Department of Education
This is the municipal agency that manages public schools and establishes the regulatory framework for teacher and administrative conduct.
The details
Bridget Garzaniti, while serving as principal at the High School of Arts and Technology, recommended Curtis Williams for tenure in June 2024 and provided him with the top performance rating. These actions violated rules barring public employees from using their positions to provide financial benefits to domestic partners.
Timeline
Bridget Garzaniti and Curtis Williams began living together in June 2017.
The couple had a child in August 2017.
Curtis Williams received $12,000 in overtime pay throughout 2024.
Garzaniti recommended Williams for tenure in June 2024.
The Conflicts of Interest Board released its findings in September 2026.
Culture Shift
This incident reflects a broader societal shift toward increased scrutiny of nepotism and favoritism within municipal hiring and promotion practices. It follows a pattern established by the New York City Charter conflict of interest provisions designed to prevent the personal exploitation of public roles.
Residents in the Upper West Side may notice administrative leadership changes at the High School of Arts and Technology as a result of these findings. The transfer of the employee to a new school serves as a practical reminder of the city's zero-tolerance policy for conflicts of interest.
The takeaway
Public servants must maintain a strict separation between their professional decision-making authority and their private personal relationships. Failure to recuse oneself from personnel matters involving domestic partners can lead to significant financial penalties and career consequences.
Further reading
For more information on school governance, visit the New York City Administration section.
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Should public officials face stricter penalties for using their positions to benefit family members?
