Residents hope saga at the end

By John A. Torres
Poughkeepsie Journal

Many local residents hope the guilty plea made by William Paroli Sr. on Friday in federal court in White Plains marks the end of a long story.

Paroli, the former Dutchess County Republican elections commissioner, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion. He is due to be sentenced in May and faces up to 21 months in jail.

Paroli had been the target of a nearly three-year investigation into corruption in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

Town resident Bob Thompson-Gee said the guilty plea means more than the sentence. Paroli had faced with 19 counts and up to 220 years in prison before making the plea deal with federal prosecutors.

‘‘I’m surprised that he pleaded guilty,’’ he said. ‘‘I am glad that aspect is over. I think it’s more important that he has admitted his guilt, and we do not have to spend a huge amount of money to prove it.’’

Town of Poughkeepsie resident Joseph Rivas agreed the plea would benefit taxpayers.

‘‘It will save the taxpayers some money,” Rivas said.

End of scandal a relief

Dutchess County Legislator Woody Klose, R-Red Hook, said he was relieved to see the scandal come to an end.

‘‘The process has worked its way through to the end,’’ said the former Legislature chairman. ‘‘I hate to see any human being go down. It has been a long, ugly, painful chapter in Dutchess County government, and an unfortunate chapter for everyone.’’

The corruption scandal has ensnared a number of officials and local residents. In addition to Paroli, five people have been convicted in connection with the scandal, and three others have made deferred prosecution agreements.

Some area residents who followed the case were surprised at Paroli’s plea on Friday.

‘‘It seems like very little punishment for the amount of people that were involved,’’ said Fishkill resident Eileen DiYeso. ‘‘Something like this could leave the door open for the next time. I don’t think it’s fair. He was the one that stirred up the whole pot.’’

Former Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Thomas Murphy said that the scandal was far-reaching.

‘‘Unfortunately, this extends to workers and politicians unworthy of the same level of criticism,’’ said former Town Supervisor Thomas Murphy. ‘‘With few exceptions, most offenders paid an appropriate penalty for their actions. Only God and the bad guys will ever know for sure.’’

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