DeStefano’s Service Project Denied

Former Sheriff’s Candidate, Captain Andrew DeStefano appeared before Judge Richard Vercollone at the Town of Southeast Justice Court on Wednesday to explore whether he could complete his 100 hours of community service working in Assemblyman Greg Ball’s office. Vercollone suggested that Ball’s office was an “inappropriate” venue for DeStefano’s court-ordered service.

DeStefano pled guilty to forging signatures on campaign petitions in September while making a hasty exit from the hotly–contested sheriff’s race. In his plea, he agreed not to run for political office for five years, to complete 100 hours of community service, and to pay a $1,000 fine.

DeStefano had dismissed Pat Bonanno as his attorney and represented himself in court. Vercollone said DeStefano would be well-advised to find new representation, “An attorney who represents himself, has a fool for a client,” Vercollone told DeStefano, quoting proverbial wisdom.

DeStefano pointed out that high school students who volunteer in the Assemblyman’s office receive credit for community service according to guidelines set forth by the state of New York. Vercollone responded that due to the nature of the crimes to which DeStefano pled guilty this fall, working in a political office would not be advisable.

During the hearing, representatives of assistant Putnam County District Attorney Mary Jane MacCrae noted that they had been contacted by Assemblyman Ball’s office about DeStefano’s request and had indicated to him the same line of reasoning outlined by Vercollone, that work in a politician’s office was inappropriate considering DeStefano’s crimes.

“I have no problem with people picking how they want to do their community service,” said Vercollone. “ But I don’t consider what you proposed acceptable to the Court.”

DeStefano said he already does community service for “six or seven” organizations locally each month, including the Girl Scouts. In an interview after his appearance, DeStefano said he believed the district attorney would approve working in a political office “if it was [for] another politician.”

DeStefano also said that he was studying whether or not to attempt altering the terms of his plea. “All options are open,” DeStefano said, “We will be studying it.”