Richards intends to sue Sacco

by Larry Austin
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, December 28, 2006

Town of Niagara Supervisor Steven C. Richards will press charges against former Supervisor James Sacco for allegedly stealing election campaign signs on Election Day, Nov. 7, but he will drop charges against a council candidate accused of the same crime.

Sacco was arrested Dec. 20 and charged with stealing political signs belonging to Richards. Councilman-elect Robert Clark was also arrested before the election and charged with petit larceny as well, also for stealing signs belonging to Richards. Clark went on to receive the most votes in a four-man race.

Richards supported two candidates for Town Council, while Sacco supported Clark.

Richards was vacationing in Florida over the holidays when he released a statement to the press.

“I have decided not to press criminal charges against Councilman-elect Robert Clark, who has freely admitted to the police of stealing my signs, for the good of the Town of Niagara. I feel Mr. Clark’s apology to me has ended the matter between us, and I look forward to working with him in 2007,” Richards said.

In Town of Niagara Town Board work sessions following the election, Richards and Clark have been cordial to each other, with Richards inviting Clark and Councilman-elect Charles Teixeira to sit in on discussions of the current board.

Richards was not as forgiving of Sacco, however.

“As far as James Sacco, he will soon realize that he is going to be held accountable both criminally and civilly for his actions against my family and I during the last town election,” Richards said.

In response to published reports of his arrest, Sacco sent a photo to the Tribune of a political sign with his and Clark’s names crossed out and circled in red. The sign was hanging from a figure hanging in effigy.

“In order to be fair, why don’t you print the picture and explain to the people that Mr. Richards was not a candidate, nor is his name displayed on the sign to show who was responsible for the purchase or the development of them,” Sacco wrote in a message to the Tribune. “Oh, I am sorry, Mr. Richards is an advertiser, so he deserves preferential treatment,” following his arrest for stealing election campaign signs.

The alleged theft occurred on Election Day, Nov. 7. A passing motorist claimed to witness Sacco at about 8:30 a.m. stealing signs belonging to Richards.

The case was transferred to Niagara County Court for a determination.