The Roosevelt Island Daily confirmed, this morning, that RIOC fired two longtime staff members. No public notice appeared nor are we currently aware of the cause or causes.

By David Stone

The Roosevelt Island Daily News

RIOC Fired Karline Jean and Arthur Eliav

Although the cause for her firing is unknown, Executive Assistant Karline Jean had a troubled relationship with President/CEO Shelton J. Haynes. She expressed her dissatisfaction with “being bullied and working in a hostile environment” at RIOC.

Jean’s dismissal was startling because she has served RIOC in a variety of capacities for 21 years, most recently in the Legal Department. In 2020, her email to state officials kicked off the investigation resulting in then CEO Susan Rosenthal’s firing.

Eliav was also active in complaints surrounding the firing of Rosenthal, but since that was 18 months ago, it does not seem to figure in his own dismissal. Why RIOC fired him remains unknown, for now.

Full Disclosure: I have known Arthur Eliav for years and butted heads with him five years ago over a real estate conflict.

Making Eliav’s departure equally puzzling is his similarly long tenure at the state agency. Hired almost immediately after graduation at Cardozo Law School in Manhattan, Eliav served RIOC for 15 years. Before losing his job, her served as Associate General Counsel, earning $150K annually.

This is breaking news, and we will update as information becomes available.

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Lance A. Polivy, Vice President for Legal Affairs

Before RIOC votes, residents deserve to know what happened to the promised search, what conflicts were reviewed, and who will be protected when the next negotiation begins.

Eleanor Rivers May 12, 2026

I do not usually write ahead of the week’s rhythm. Fridays suit an old woman. They allow time for tea, rereading, and the small mercy of correcting one’s own excessive cleverness. But this cannot wait for Friday.

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