Fired employee sues Lake Mohawk Country Club

By Nathan Mayberg
Sparta — A former longtime Lake Mohawk Country Club employee has filed a lawsuit in State Suprerior Court, claiming he lost his job after lodging a complaint about a discounted social event.

Larry Patton, who worked at the club for 21 years and held the job of director of sales, alleged that the club's then-manager had contracted with a member of the governing body of the club to hold a social event at the clubhouse for a discounted rate.

Patton claimed in the suit, filed by attorney George Daggett, that the country club lost money on the social event due to the abnormally low rate. The event was allegedly held in order for the manager, Mark Musilli, to "curry favor" with the club's board member, Gregory Yuskitis, the suit claims.

The suit claims the social event "was tantamount to theft from the Lake Mohawk Country Club."

Patton reported what he believed to be theft to the club's general manager, Ernest Hofer. As a result, Hofer fired him, according to the suit.

Hofer has since retired from the club, according to Musilli.

Musilli has since been elevated to general manager of the club.

On Tuesday, Musilli said the club "will rebut all allegations very agressively and very confidently through the guidance of legal counsel."

Musilli said he could not elaborate further since the case is an ongoing legal matter.