The Daily Freeman has reported on the arrest and arraignment of former Fire Chief Salzmann on four misdemeanor charges for filing false documents in an alleged attempt to defraud the city. What is yet to be reported is potentially a bombshell of a story.
I have recently learned from a reliable source that the attorney for Mr. Salzmann is presenting a defense that implicates someone else in the former administration. Supposedly, the attorney has a signed and sworn affidavit from former Mayor Jim Sottile. In this affidavit, Sottile apparently asserts under penalties of perjury that he not only knew what Salzmann was doing, but also condoned it and gave Salzmann permission to do so.
Think about this for a minute. I have not yet seen the affidavit. If I get a copy, I will post it on this blog for all to see. Nevertheless, if Sottile has admitted that he knew about the filing of false official documents, condoned their submission, and gave permission for their filing, then we have a new charge to be investigated and considered by the Ulster District Attorney's Office: CONSPIRACY.
For those who do not know, Conspiracy is defined by the New York Penal Law as follows:
Under section 105.00, a person is guilty of conspiracy in the sixth degree when, with intent that conduct constituting a crime be performed, he agrees with one or more persons to engage in or cause the performance of such conduct.
If Sottile has signed an affidavit asserting under
penalties of perjury that he not only knew what Salzmann was doing, but
also condoned it and gave Salzmann permission to do so, then we have an agreement between two people to engage in conduct that constitutes a crime. This would seem to fit the definition of conspiracy.
Moreover, this would also constitute a serious breach of the constitutional oath of office taken by Mayor Sottile. Basically, this affidavit is proof that he condoned the filing of false governmental documents and allowed an employee to receive taxpayer money to which he was not entitled.
In his recent press conference, Mayor Shayne Gallo said, "Indeed, prior administrations, unfortunately, condoned, gave consent, permitted the practice utilized by Salzmann ..." This statement seemingly refers to the affidavit.
I urge the Ulster County District Attorney's Office to investigate this alleged affidavit. If Sottile has signed an affidavit asserting under
penalties of perjury that he not only knew what Salzmann was doing, but
also condoned it and gave Salzmann permission to do so, then charges of Conspiracy in the Sixth Degree should be considered against both parties immediately.
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16 comments:
Two words: TERM LIMITS!
a politician who doesn't have alot of time in office cannot pursue their self gaining agenda or cover ups.
Looks like you were right about Sottile. He was corrupt.
If this story is true, would you condone calling Sottile "Mussolini"?
Probably corrupt but definitely inept. Depended too much on his "posse". Ex:(Timmy, Ricky and gerry, Steve G.) They are all gone now. Road off into the sunset laden with riches and ill gotten gaines.
2:05,
No, I would not call him "Mussolini".
Thank your Rich, and as an Italian American to the person who posted the comment suggesting calling Mr. Sottile (also of Italian decent) Mussolini I consider your comment to be racist and inappropriate.
Hmmm...."Putin", perhaps?
No, I would not call him Putin. Sottile is sufficient.
Sottile belongs in jail..
Might want to brush up on Criminal Law - the fact pattern you lay out does not on its face suggest conspiracy, rather a mayor exercising to much perceived authority which he clearly did not have. It would seem he might be civilly liable for authorizations outside the scope of that authority. It also raises questions about who is watching over the city's finances (comptroller, common council, executive??? or nobody)
2:04,
If you are an attorney (and I highly doubt it), it is you who needs to review criminal law.
If Sottile and Salzmann entered into an agreement whereby Salzmann submitted false requests for payment of taxpayer money and Sottile either approved same or looked the other way, that constitutes Conspiracy in the Sixth Degree.
I have no problem debating opinions. Do not, however, presume to lecture me on the practice of law. I have been an attorney for 16 years and am damn good at it.
Go get him,(204) Rich! Yes, you do know the law! I wouldn't blame the comptroller or city council as 204 has stated. I blame the former Mayor as I felt that on more than one occasion he was a loose cannon when it came to city affairs.
10:21:calling Sottile "Mussolini" was merely along the lines of corrupt leaders of yesteryear begun by the reference to Hitler--it had nothing to do with the fact he is of Italian descent. Shame on you for suggesting as much.
Contrarwise, you/we might want to review Mr. Sottile's blog rants at www.yuku.com /ulsterpublishingmessageboards if you want an insight into what bigory is and how it is expressed by Mr. Sottile himself. Therein he establishes himself, under the nickname of "Black Knight", as BOTH a racist and a bigot along other lines. Read it and learn! I know these ideas came from him due to the background he gave--and I have a lawsuit out in which I will be using this information to underscore some issues therein I need to. So, folks might want to keep this in mind going forward...while making these blog posts, Mr. Sottile introduced his arrogance by asserting that "only five people read this blog". If we can get that number up to at least 10, I think maybe we can gain more insight into this creep....
11:27,
I really do not know what you are talking about.
Well Mr. Cahill, if you feel you can do Civil Rights law on contingency, you are welcome to consider representing me and then you will most certainly learn it all. Otherwise, like everyone else, you may read the blog posts and discover what you can therefrom.
That would require a competent District Attorney. Or at least one with no special interests
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