State police charge Galvin with forgery

PENN YAN (9/14/2016)--After more than a month since election petition signatures were brought into question, the New York State Police have brought formal charges against Patrick Galvin, 55, of Penn Yan. Galvin was arrested Friday, Sept. 9, and charged with two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, a class D felony. Galvin was arraigned in the Town of Starkey Court where he was released on his own recognizance. Galvin was a former Yates County legislator, Penn Yan village trustee and a current member of the Yates County Republican Committee.
Yates Country District Attorney Valerie G. Gardner reported to the New York State Police July 25 that she believed forgeries had been committed by an individual collecting signatures in support of her campaign for Yates County judge. Fellow candidate Matthew Conlon brought several of the signature irregularities to the attention of the board of elections, who then notified Gardner, who contacted the New York State Police. Gardner said she had no knowledge of the forgeries.
Gardner applied to the court to have a special prosecutor appointed to the case in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety, as she is the complainant on the matter. Joseph Lucchesi was then appointed to act as special prosecutor for the case. Because of the alleged forgeries, Gardner lost positions on the ballots for the Independence, Conservative and Green Party for the Tuesday, Sept. 13 primary election.