Marchionda case will go to grand jury

PENN YAN—The next step in the case against former Penn Yan Mayor Douglas Marchionda Jr. will be before the Yates County Grand Jury.
Marchionda was arrested in late May on charges of fourth degree grand larceny and first degree falsifying business records. Both are Class E felonies. Marchionda appeared in Penn Yan Village Court on Monday, Nov. 1 with his attorney Steven Witkowicz.
Prior to the hearing before Village Justice Danny Hibbard, Witkowicz met with Attorney Alan Reed, Special Prosecutor with the Steuben County District Attorney’s office. During the discussion the attorneys failed to come to terms.
Following the appearance before Hibbard, Reed said the matter would probably be resolved at the county court level. Asked when the case might go to the grand jury, Reed said Steuben County District Attorney John Tunney will request a date.
It is not in Steuben County so Tunney is not in charge of scheduling. Reed said the Yates County District Attorney will inform his office when there will be an available spot for the matter to be heard by the grand jury.
Reed noted he is unable to talk about the case.  He commented, “The scope of what can be discussed out of court is very limited,” adding, “We could not come to an agreement.” The case is connected to the purchase of a used motor home by Marchionda in 2005. The purchase price listed on Department of Motor Vehicle documents was lower than the actual purchase price.
Marchionda served on Penn Yan village board for 10 years as trustee and eight years as mayor. He chose not to run for reelection in the March 2010 election. Marchionda is currently employed at the Penn Yan Water Treatment Plant.