Dutchess DA to prosecute Putnam deputy sheriff

CARMEL – The Putnam County District Attorney’s Office will not be prosecuting assault charges lodged against a member of the sheriff’s department who was arrested last month following an alleged domestic violence complaint in Mahopac.

Deputy Kevin Osika was suspended from the sheriff’s department following his arrest by State Police on misdemeanor charges of assault and aggravated harassment resulting from the alleged incident.

Troop K Public Information Officer Trooper Krystal Paolicelli said when patrols arrived at the residence, they determined that Osika, 43, had been involved in a physical altercation.

Osika is married to Putnam Legislator Erin Lee Crowley, who serves as deputy district director for Congressman Mike Lawler.

Osika, a 10-year member of the force, was arraigned in Southeast and was released without bail pending a future court hearing in Carmel Town Court. A magistrate also issued a temporary order of protection.

District Attorney Robert Tendy reported Wednesday he had recused his staff and requested that Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi handle the case.

State Supreme Court Justice James McCarthy, Supervising Judge of Criminal Courts in New York’s 9th Judicial District, approved, naming Parisi as ‘special district attorney.’

Tendy explained his rationale. “I recused my office because virtually all of the assistant district attorneys know Erin Crowley; and as legislator she is part of the process that sets the budget for our office. Regarding Deputy Osika, many of the assistant district attorneys have worked with him on various cases, and I know him as well. The recusal is not because anyone is a prominent member of the sheriff’s department or because anyone is a legislator. That would not necessarily be a valid reason for recusal. However, because of what I stated above, for my office to handle this case, there would be an appearance of impropriety (even though nothing improper would be done). Whenever there is the possibility of an appearance of impropriety, we recuse ourselves.”