A candidate for Cobleskill village trustee who actually lives in Morris, according to the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office, was arrested Monday on felony charges related to his filing of nominating petitions.
Bob LaPietra, 64, was charged with 13 counts of second-degree perjury and 13 counts of offering a false instrument for filing.
The arrest follows a joint investigation of the Cobleskill Police Department, sheriff's deputies and the Schoharie County District Attorney's Office, according to Schoharie County Sheriff John Bates.
LaPietra listed his address on the petitions as 784 E. Main St., but it is believed he actually lives in Morris, Bates said.
The building listed as LaPietra's home in the village of Cobleskill is a commercial property owned by his son. The upper floors of the building had been converted into apartments, and the village code enforcement office is probing whether that conversion is legal, Bates said.
Additionally, law enforcement received complaints that individuals associated with LaPietra were encouraging people to sign the petitions regardless of whether they were village residents, Bates said.
Under state election law, a candidate must live in the community where he or she is running for office. Signatures on that candidate's nominating petitions must also come from residents of that jurisdiction.
No other arrests have been made, but the investigation is continuing, Bates said.
LaPietra does not own property in Otsego County under his name, according to the Otsego County Office of Real Property. He does not have a listed phone number in the Cobleskill or Morris areas, according to Verizon.
The case is expected to be presented to a Schoharie County grand jury Sept. 19.
LaPietra was released on $5,000 bail. He remains on the ballot for village elections Nov. 4.
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