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Assessor faces second-degree harassment charge
By Andrew Amelinckx
A Copake town assessor running for reelection was arraigned in Copake Town Court on a charge of second-degree harassment Monday.
David Gordineer, 41, of Copake Falls has been assessor for a year, having beaten Kenneth S. Phesay last November.
He’s up for reelection and is running as a Republican and is endorsed by the Conservative Party. He’s running against Democrat Loredana Delventhal.
Monday he pleaded “not guilty” to the charge and was released on his own recognizance by Copake Town Judge John Spencer.
Both Spencer and Copake Town Judge Brian Herman recused themselves from the case.
Spencer said in court that the recusal was “for obvious reasons,” apparently referring to the fact that both he and Gordineer work for the town.
Columbia County Assistant District Attorney John Hillman, who handled the case Monday, said that the District Attorney’s Office had not decided whether it too would be disqualifying from the case.
If that office does disqualify a special prosecutor would then be appointed.
No details were available as to the nature of the alleged crime, but according to the New York State Penal Code, second-degree harassment involves “striking, kicking or otherwise subjecting another person to physical contact,” or attempting or threatening to do so.
The law also pertains to following a person around a public place or engaging “in a course of conduct or repeatedly committing acts which alarm or seriously annoy” another person and “serves no legitimate purpose.”
This is the second Copake town official to appear in the town’s court in less than a year.
Copake Councilman Walter Kiernan was charged with trespassing in March. The charge was later dropped.
In that case both town judges also recused themselves as did the District Attorney’s Office.
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx call 518- 828-1616, ext. 2267 or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com.
David Gordineer, 41, of Copake Falls has been assessor for a year, having beaten Kenneth S. Phesay last November.
He’s up for reelection and is running as a Republican and is endorsed by the Conservative Party. He’s running against Democrat Loredana Delventhal.
Monday he pleaded “not guilty” to the charge and was released on his own recognizance by Copake Town Judge John Spencer.
Both Spencer and Copake Town Judge Brian Herman recused themselves from the case.
Spencer said in court that the recusal was “for obvious reasons,” apparently referring to the fact that both he and Gordineer work for the town.
Columbia County Assistant District Attorney John Hillman, who handled the case Monday, said that the District Attorney’s Office had not decided whether it too would be disqualifying from the case.
If that office does disqualify a special prosecutor would then be appointed.
No details were available as to the nature of the alleged crime, but according to the New York State Penal Code, second-degree harassment involves “striking, kicking or otherwise subjecting another person to physical contact,” or attempting or threatening to do so.
The law also pertains to following a person around a public place or engaging “in a course of conduct or repeatedly committing acts which alarm or seriously annoy” another person and “serves no legitimate purpose.”
This is the second Copake town official to appear in the town’s court in less than a year.
Copake Councilman Walter Kiernan was charged with trespassing in March. The charge was later dropped.
In that case both town judges also recused themselves as did the District Attorney’s Office.
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx call 518- 828-1616, ext. 2267 or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com.
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