Mayor says Lowville village officials are cooperating amidst allegations against Police Chief and Sergeant
LOWVILLE- An executive session followed Wednesday’s regularly scheduled Lowville Village Board meeting, marking the first time local officials have gathered since word got out that two of their police employees, including the chief and a sergeant, are currently under investigation.
According to an update from WWNY-TV, Mayor Joe Beagle made it crystal clear that local officials are cooperating, while going on to emphasize members of the public should adhere to a presumption of innocence until the investigation has concluded or until proven otherwise.
Last week, a letter sent to both the county and village from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, dated May 24, was obtained and published by the media.
The letter stems from a misconduct investigation, which began in February when members from the State Police raided the village police office, taking several documents with them.
Since then, allegations in the letter accuse Sergeant Turck of submitting falsified timesheets for hours that he did not actually work. The letter goes on to allege that Chief Roggie knowingly authorized them.
As previously reported, Lewis County District Attorney Leanne Moser recused herself and her office from the case back in February, hence the letter from Onondaga County DA Office, as they are heading the investigation instead.
As of this report, it’s understood that Roggie and Turck remain on the job.
Image via Matthew James.
