The Current FReepathon Pays For The Current Quarter's Expenses?
Posted on 08/16/2014 2:21:04 AM PDT by beaversmom
MONTICELLO — Embattled Monticello Mayor Gordon Jenkins and village Code Enforcement Officer James Snowden were arrested Thursday and charged with several felonies and misdemeanors in connection with the demolition of the old village justice court.
The charges include third-degree bribe receiving, second-degree criminal mischief, fifth-degree conspiracy and endangering public health, safety and the environment.
Jenkins was also charged with third-degree intimidating a witness. That charge is related to his November 2013 arrest on charges of drunken driving and resisting arrest. According to the indictment by a Sullivan County grand jury, Jenkins called a witness a "snitch" and told him to "watch his back."
Who is running Monticello?
It has been an eventful week for the village as its manager, Ray Nargizian, was fired by the village Board of Trustees, and its mayor, Gordon Jenkins, plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of DWI and was arrested on charges in connection to the Nov. 2013 demolition of the former village justice court.
Deputy Manager Walter Fedun said his job is to “keep the village running,” but said he would serve at the discretion of the board. According to the village code, the Village Board could appoint, through a majority vote, an acting village manager to take over the position's responsibilities until another manager is appointed by the board.
Trustee Carmen Rue said the board has the authority to appoint the deputy mayor to run the upcoming meeting on Tuesday, unless Jenkins is released on the $10,000 bail set for him. The board can also empower the deputy mayor to sign any checks or make payments on behalf of the village, according to Rue.
Rue said the board will have to wait and see if Jenkins will be present at Tuesday's meeting.
This was Jenkins' fourth arrest in the past three years, with the first three resulting in convictions.
Less than 24 hours before his appearance Thursday before Sullivan County Judge Frank LaBuda, Jenkins had pleaded guilty Wednesday night to one count of driving while intoxicated. The other charges in that case were dismissed.
Jenkins and Snowden, both in handcuffs, were led into the Sullivan County Courthouse Thursday morning by state police.
Both men pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Jenkins, who shook his head as the indictment was read, called it "definitely racial," as he was led out of the courtroom to jail.
"We need a federal investigation. It's a sad day in Monticello," he said.
Snowden, who appeared shocked and angered by the charges, said in court with apparent sarcasm, "There's not a murder charge in there, your honor?"
Both men were sent to Sullivan County Jail. Jenkins' bail was set at $10,000, and Snowden's at $5,000.
Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell said in court that the defendants "intentionally damaged the property of Monticello by the unauthorized destruction of a building."
"This released a hazardous substance into the environment," he continued, referring to the asbestos contained in the former courthouse.
In October 2013, Jenkins and Snowden had hired the company of a friend, Sam Kearney, who owned Sam's Property Management of Middletown, to demolish the former courthouse and remove the asbestos-laced debris for $5,000.
This, the indictment said, was "a deeply and unreasonably discounted demolition fee." The officials also made a "promise to funnel ... more village jobs (to the company.)"
In an interview, Farrell referred to Jenkins' claims that he had been targeted as "hollow," especially because of his record of four arrests and three convictions during the past three years.
"Mayor Jenkins' previous troubles, since he commented on them, have arisen from his own conduct," Farrell said.
Jenkins' attorney, Michael Sussman, said the arrest caught him by surprise.
"I was with the district attorney's office last night (for Jenkins' DWI plea) and no one said anything to me," he said. "When someone is the target of a grand jury, they're given the opportunity to testify, and no one said anything to me or my client."
Jenkins and Snowden are scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Friday.
Charges in indictment
These are the charges in the indictment of Monticello Mayor Gordon Jenkins and village Code Enforcement Officer James Snowden, and the theory behind them:
1. Third-degree bribe receiving: Jenkins and Snowden made an agreement with contractor Sam Kearney to demolish the former village justice court for a “deeply and unreasonably discounted demolition fee.” In return, Kearney would receive more contracting and/or demolition work in the village.
2. Second-degree criminal mischief: Snowden and Jenkins acted together in constructing the agreement with Kearney to cause damage to the former village justice court. It was done without authorization of the village Board of Trustees.
3. Fifth-degree conspiracy: Snowden and Jenkins knowingly accepted a bribe from Kearney.
4. Second-degree criminal mischief: Jenkins and Snowden knowingly caused damage to the former village court resulting in more than $1,500 of damage.
5-7. Official misconduct: Jenkins and Snowden conspired with Kearney to demolish the former village justice court for their own benefit and without approval of the Board of Trustees.
8. Endangering public health, safety or environment: The demolition of the former village justice court led to the release of friable (toxic) asbestos.
9. Second-degree criminal nuisance: Snowden and Jenkins ordered a building containing asbestos demolished without first removing the asbestos.
Monticello Mayor Gordon Jenkins was also charged with one count of third-degree intimidating a witness. He is accused of trying to intimidate a witness in his November 2013 DWI arrest. On May 12, Jenkins is accused of calling the witness a “snitch” and telling him to “watch his back.”
A town of 6,700 people has a mayor, deputy mayor, city manager and deputy city manager? I think I’m seeing a bit of the problem here.
It looks like a union hierarchy.
Since I didn’t see the party affiliation in Bold Blinking 128 point font in the first sentence, Is it safe to assume its (D)?
:-)
Jenkins, who shook his head as the indictment was read, called it “definitely racial,” as he was led out of the courtroom to jail.He wants Obama and Holder to come rescue him?
“We need a federal investigation. It’s a sad day in Monticello,” he said. …
I would say that he is both a Democrat and Coloured.
“I would say that he is both a Democrat and Coloured.” Well, if he is a coloured, then all should be forgiven because he is disadvantaged and doesn’t have the capacity to distinguish right for wrong. It is very unfair
Another Gentle Giant story?
Funny how the media one-sidedly turns a “Hulk Smash” story into “gentle giant”.
Faster than a speeding bullet the good mayor played the race card.
This is one of those stories written in such as way where it is totally obvious the political affiliation and race of the Mayor/Perp because any mention of party/race is so carefully avoided.
The Current FReepathon Pays For The Current Quarter's Expenses?
“Don’t call me mayor. Call me ni**er because that’s what I am when I’m here in handcuffs,” said Jenkins. “They say you are the Klan. I believe it now. I believe all the f*cking ni**ers and what they be talking about, about you.” Jenkins later then tells one of the officers that “you don’t have control…because these motherf*cking crackers work for you.”
Jenkins was arrested after appearing drunk at the scene of a car accident. CBS New York repors that he received the DWI charge after refusing a Breathalyzer and was also charged with obstructing justice and criminal mischief. Although he has since pleaded not guilty to the charges, his license has been suspended."
This criminal degenerate will us the same excuse as the “professor” in California who assaulted a pro-life student...trauma from the US’s slave history made him do it. Sheesh! Enough already! Either lock-up these fools or give them a one-way ticket to Liberia.
Embattled Monticello Mayor Gordon Jenkins and village Code Enforcement Officer James Snowden were arrested Thursday and charged with several felonies and misdemeanors in connection with the demolition of the old village justice court. The charges include third-degree bribe receiving, second-degree criminal mischief, fifth-degree conspiracy and endangering public health, safety and the environment. Jenkins was also charged with third-degree intimidating a witness. That charge is related to his November 2013 arrest on charges of drunken driving and resisting arrest. According to the indictment by a Sullivan County grand jury, Jenkins called a witness a "snitch" and told him to "watch his back."
from 2009:
Gordon Jenkins makes Jerry Springer proud
http://www.sullivancountypost.com/2009/07/17/gordon-jenkins-makes-jerry-springer-proud/
from 2010:
Monticello village manager Ray Nargizian resigns
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100319/NEWS/100319676/-1/LIFE03
Jenkins, who shook his head as the indictment was read, called it "definitely racial," as he was led out of the courtroom to jail. "We need a federal investigation. It's a sad day in Monticello," he said. Snowden, who appeared shocked and angered by the charges, said in court with apparent sarcasm, "There's not a murder charge in there, your honor?"
You’re welcome. Thank you for your additional links.
Thanks for that link.
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