A Seneca County grand jury has declined to indict Seneca Falls Town Supervisor Frank Schmitter on charges stemming from an April incident at the town Municipal Building, according to the Finger Lakes Times.
Wayne County District Attorney Christine Callanan, who was appointed special prosecutor in the case, said the matter was presented to a grand jury, which declined to issue an indictment. Under New York law, grand jury proceedings are confidential and no further details were released.
Schmitter was arrested April 30 by the Seneca Falls Police Department following a complaint filed by Town Board member Wendy Crane. The arrest came after a dispute at the town Municipal Building on Ovid Street.
He had been charged with third-degree criminal mischief, a class E felony; official misconduct, a class A misdemeanor; and second-degree harassment, a violation.
Schmitter has remained free on his own recognizance and continues to serve as town supervisor.
Following the grand jury’s decision, Schmitter said he was pleased with the outcome and maintained that he had not violated any laws. He also criticized the handling of the case by local law enforcement and prosecutors, stating that a more thorough investigation would have prevented the matter from advancing to a grand jury.
