Swift resolution expected in arrest
By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-HeraldArticle Photos
GLOVERSVILLE - Local officials said Thursday they expect a swift resolution to Mayor Tim Hughes' Thursday indictment, which alleges he knowingly submitted fraudulent petitions to Board of Elections officials in July.
Hughes, 52, of 71 Fremont St., was indicted on one count of offering a false instrument for filing, a felony. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday and was released on his own recognizance. The charge carries a maximum of four years in prison, but Fulton County District Attorney Louis Sira said she doubts Hughes will face the maximum charge.
"I am confident it will be resolved without trial," she said. "Both sides seem open to negotiations."
Sira said given the non-violent nature of the crime and Hughes' lack of a criminal record, it's not likely he will serve jail time. She said more likely punishments could include probation, a fine or community service.
Democratic mayoral candidate Judy Marcoux filed a criminal complaint saying Hughes' petitions contained a number of fraudulent signatures.
Sira said the indictment, however, was based on the witnesses' signatures and not the signatures of people signing Hughes' petition. Sira said the grand jury found Hughes submitted his petitions knowing that two women who signed as witnesses - Fulton County Democratic Committee members Marilyn Cornell and Katherine Joyce - did not witness the signatures.
Sira said grand jurors placed the blame on Hughes because he was the candidate and he submitted the petitions. Sira said Hughes' attorney, Daniel Ehring of Albany, is claiming Hughes was ignorant to petition filing law.
"My response to that is this is the second time he has run for office," she said. "The petition process is pretty self-explanatory, and the witness section is very clear."
Both sides are scheduled to meet for a conference on Oct. 30. Sira said pursuing allegations of fraud is a priority because it is important for residents to have faith in election law.
"It's important they have confidence in the system, and it's important that candidates conduct themselves with integrity and are held to a certain standard," she said.
Gloversville Police Capt. James Lorenzoni said the investigation into Marcoux's allegation was an exhaustive and time-consuming process that resulted in a complete and thorough investigation, which was handed over to Sira for prosecutorial review in late August.
"The complaint was investigated by our detective division," he said. "It was labor intensive ... with literally dozens of people interviewed."
State Department of State officials said Thursday that Hughes' indictment does not mean he must step down as mayor. Sira confirmed he can remain as mayor since he has not been convicted of a crime.
Despite being legally able to remain in his post, several people called on Hughes to step down, citing his indictment and his status as a lame-duck mayor.
Republican mayoral candidate Jo-Ann Clear said ideally Hughes would resign and the Common Council would appoint the incoming mayor after the Nov. 3 election to fill the position.
"The person responsible for implementing the budget could then be a part of the process of developing it," she said.
Conservative mayoral candidate Dirk Myers agreed with Clear's call on Hughes to step down. He called Thursday a sad day for the city and said Hughes' sound defeat in the Democratic primary is evidence of city residents' call for change.
Myers also criticized independent mayoral candidate Dayton King and what he called King and Hughes' relationship. King recently accepted a campaign contribution of about $700 from Hughes.
King once again disputed the alleged relationship between himself and Hughes and said he believes Hughes should step down.
"I want to make it clear that his endorsement of me isn't my endorsement of him," he said. "I would like to see him step down."
King said he hopes the Common Council asks local leaders, such as former mayors, to step forward to help lead the city in the interim prior to the new mayor's swearing-in in January. He said Councilman-at-Large Jim Handy, who is also a lame-duck official, does not have a vested interest in the city and should not fill Hughes' position.
"Perhaps they can ask a volunteer such as [Finance Commissioner] Bruce Van Genderen and some department heads to help oversee things, people who know how the city is run," he said.
Marcoux, who defeated Hughes in the Democratic primary with 278 votes to his 99, said Thursday she is glad to have some sort of resolution to her original allegation.
"You can't just go against the whole electoral process," she said. "I feel vindicated because I was just vilified for even filing charges, and I did the right thing."
Second Ward Councilman John Castiglione said city officials must research all of the options available to them. He said while Hughes is innocent until proven guilty, it is incumbent upon the council to do something.
"We need to know just what we can legally do," he said. "Do we remove him, censure him, remove his authority? There are a lot of options. [Hughes] has certain powers and that is what concerns me. I'm concerned for the city."
Fifth Ward Councilman Matthew Myers said Hughes' indictment proves no one is above the law.
"It's unfortunate for the city and its citizens that they have to go through another bit of controversy," he said.
Third Ward Councilman James Robinson said Thursday's events are a shock to the city and expressed hope the city would be able to move past them quickly. He said city officials must consult with city attorney John Clo as to what options the city has in such a situation.
First Ward Councilwoman Robin Wentworth said the council does not yet have enough information about Hughes' indictment to take any action.
"We need to figure out what's going on," she said. "The council needs information from both sides. [Hughes], just as anyone, is innocent until proven guilty."
Clo said Thursday the Common Council could remove Hughes from office but would need to conduct a hearing first, which would be held in a manner similar to a court proceeding and would include witness testimony and the opportunity for Hughes to testify. He said Hughes could also be censured by the council.
Ehring, Hughes, Cornell and Joyce could not be reached for comment. Hughes did not answer to a knock on his door at his home Thursday.
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cruella
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10-19-09 8:27 PM
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Scratch the word (the) in the last sentence out!n thanks
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cruella
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10-19-09 8:24 PM
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Is Hughes being charged for forgery or not? If not, Why not? If that was me, I would be setting in jail! What makes him different? Can somebody answer that? You people that had your names forged should be on your way down to city hall and press charges against Hughes. Don`t let him get away with this! If you don`t think he got away with it just check out that the arrogant look on his face! That should say it all!
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cruella
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10-19-09 3:36 PM
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ProudAmerican, you have every right to feel that way. Thats right Mrs.Sira, hope you will pursue the allegations of fraud. If you want the people to have faith in election law or any other laws you better think twice before Oct.30. If you don`t the people will never trust you or the system ever again! Already alot of folks don`t including myself. I don`t trust GPD or the system. I at this time will make every excuse I can not to do grand jury or any other kind of jury duty ever again ever, because if this indictment goes the way it sounds like it`s going, why bother!! Wasted time as I see it!
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ProudAmerican
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10-19-09 12:27 PM
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If my name was one of the forged names, I would want to see him in jail. At lease we won't have to deal with him anymore!
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glad2begone
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10-18-09 10:16 AM
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The great city layed off 4 cops in 2002...It could happen, its already happend downstate...
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bubbasdad
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10-18-09 8:58 AM
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I say give him 2 years
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AreaResident
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10-17-09 7:36 PM
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Marcoux clearly will not win this election, as anyone not associated with the local Democratic party has to realize. Why would Hughes give his campaign money to her campaign? Put it to good use. Hughes will not be receiving any advantages from this. To suggest that is idiotic. And to suggest that VanGenderen's $200 is meant to buy him some advantage is even more idiotic. He's already the Finance Commissioner. What's King going to do -- appoint him finance commissioner for life? What's more telling is that the current finance commissioner is choosing King in favor of a former finance commissioner. What has VanGenderen seen in the city's archives that is telling him that JoAnn Clear would not be right for the top job?
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AreaResident
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10-17-09 7:34 PM
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In the first article printed regarding Hughes's decision to turn over his campaign funds to Dayton King, King stated that he had a number of points of disagreement with Hughes and did not seek the endorsement. Since then, King has repeated that fact, in increasingly strong words, long before the latest news hit. So a losing candidate says he supports another candidate. Big deal. He gives money to his campaign. So What?
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mousey
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10-17-09 7:14 PM
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Curella your right Timmy does have a teflon suit everything rolls right off his back. I hope he does jail time. If it were you or I we would go to jail. With everything he has done wrong with the cheating and lieing he deserves jail time. The worst of all is destroying his family the way he did. Their the ones who have to suffer for his stupidy. To bad the kids can't change there last name.
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cruella
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10-17-09 2:17 PM
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Noneya, Two great posts. Couldn`t have said it better? Hey Hughes, sound like your still going to need that lawyer,so you better not screwup your cashcow, cause she may get fed-up with you and take off! I hope she does,and if she has any brain at all she will! Thats you B.P. Maybe you should beatfeet out of town Hughes while you can still run:-)
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Forthecommunity
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10-17-09 11:54 AM
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King certainly thinks he can have it both ways-- he takes Hughes' money and then decides, as Hughes pic makes the LH front page and the nightly news, that there is no connection. Come on. King is a JOKE. He lies incessantly and will continue to. Should the city of gloversville make yet another mistake, look forward to another 4 years of lies and coverups. Its what King does best. I am not saying that I am for any other candidate, to tell you the truth I am not a fan of any of them, but King WILL continue the mismanagement of gloversville as long as he is able. Seriously, his letter to the editor states he wants Bruce's assistance. Then Bruce should have ran for mayor! First it was Hughes endorsement, and now King is up Bruce's back end because he gave him 200.00?? Pick your path Dayton, you are a "rat" in this maze with nothing but negative reinforcement. Aggie, Whats up with the plagerism on his site? Enquiring minds (and voters) need to know.
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noneya
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10-17-09 8:39 AM
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Gary Mag.(not sure of spelling) city clerk of many years was treated like garbage..after MANY years of Good service, he was removed without REASON, maybe he could come back to ESCORT THIS SCUMBAG OUT OF THE BUILDING FINALLY!!! STEP UP mrs> sira..DONT LET HIM GET AWAY WITH THIS..WAIT MAYBE HE IS MR. SIRA'S BUDDY?????
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ADKlvr
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10-17-09 8:28 AM
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I truly think that if Mr Hughes could do this, that he most likely has a lot of other "wrong doings" swept under that little carpet of his, and it probably wouldn't hurt to have the city investigate him deeper....MUCH DEEPER... Also, I bring up this question again??? Whay can I sit here and "TIMMY BASH" (someone not yet convicted of a crime) all the time...but the Leader Herald won't let me write a comment about a convicted murderer, who drove drunk and mowed someone down with her car?? Seems to me we should write our opinions on her and then have someonw print them out and let her read what the rest of the community thinks about her.........Leader Herald, why can we comment only on "selected" articles??
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lenstodd
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10-16-09 11:23 PM
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Unfortunately, I do not agree with Louise on this one. I have supported her on many things before. My issue with this one is that this man was in a leadership role, and he committed fraud!!!! He tried to decieve the entire community. Louise criminal record or not, he should not walk away with probation. I realize that state sentencing guildlines dictate that he not do any time. I just think that he should be made an example of. Your constituancy should see you taking a hard position on this. You have been entrusted with Fulton County for some time now. You sucessfully prosecuted a business man (main street shoe store) for drugs. Was his life and contribution to the community any less value than this clown who has cost the city tons of money ?? I say make him an example to your voters, that you really take a serious position on all crime!!!
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Schenectady
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10-16-09 10:21 PM
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Vendetta! But it couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.
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sooners
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10-16-09 9:15 PM
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he should keep going to doc's and get drunk and pass out at the bar
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cruella
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10-16-09 7:31 PM
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Morningstar, He is the litter. I feel sorry for those poor children of his. How could he do this to them?? He set`s an example for our youth alright! Look how smug he looks, can you stand it? MR.TEFLON IN HIS FINEST!!!!!!
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morningstar
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10-16-09 7:11 PM
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If he went to jail, only the Sheriff's department would be able to enjoy seeing justice done. If he does community service, say, picking up the litter on our streets or something highly public, we could all enjoy it!
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noneya
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10-16-09 6:59 PM
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"not likely he will serve jail time" WHY NOT??? Who better to use as an exampe, that Gloversville Taxpayers will not tolerate this behavior, Lying just to GET what you want..IGNORANCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE. We wonder why our city has become what it is today..PATHETIC!!! LETS NOT FORGET OUR "YOUTH" LEARN BY EXAMPLE..WHAT AN EXAMPLE OUR MAYOR AND ALL AFFILIATED WITH HIM HAVE BEEN!!
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downtownmerchant
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10-16-09 6:24 PM
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all of the current candidates are making themselves available for anyone to contact them. by phone, email, public meet and greets, whatever. i recommend seeing each person and judging for yourself rather than guiding a decision based on comments made by people who post on internet message boards. this stuff is amusing but hardly impartial.
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armyvet
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10-16-09 6:23 PM
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thats why they will never have elections on saturday. so the freeloaders can have a weekend.
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armyvet
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10-16-09 6:22 PM
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for the working people who vote that are left in g-ville. get out and vote even if you have to mis an hour from work. for if you dont, the lazy blood sucking scum who live off of our sweat will all get together after spending the food stamps will vote more slum kings into office. ps. i know some people who need the card and help, but i know those people bust buts to get off it
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Adirondackal
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10-16-09 6:12 PM
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Slowgrinch, police and fire are required by city charter so the only way they can be eliminated is by a vote of the citizens. That's not going to happen. So onviously the people circulating that lie aren't employed by the police or fire departments. Could these lies be coming from the one city department that is paid for by the city taxpayers, yet provide services to the entire county? Hmmm.
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Knickman
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10-16-09 5:58 PM
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Hughes is just completing one 4 year term and it looks like he will be starting another 4 year term!
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SNOWGRINCH
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10-16-09 5:33 PM
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Aggiecoo, "a vote for King is a vote for Hughes"... So our only option (if we still want a fire department) is to vote for Marcoux!
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