Murray town supervisor charged with reckless endangerment

Sidonio allegedly drove vehicle towards town employee, swerving at last second

Joe Sidonio

MURRAY – Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio has been charged with second-degree reckless endangerment after allegedly driving his vehicle at a high rate of speed and swerving at the last second to avoid a town highway worker in the town parking lot.

Sidonio, 65, was charged at 4:35 p.m. on Wednesday by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. The incident allegedly occurred on June 12 at 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Murray Highway Department.

The Sheriff’s Office in a news release said Sidonio  drove his truck at a high rate of speed towards the employee who was getting into his vehicle after a day of work.

“Sidonio then swerved at the last second to avoid a collision that could have resulted in serious physical injury to this individual,” according to the press release from Chief Deputy Rob Riemer.

Sidonio was processed at the county jail, released on his own recognizance and given an appearance ticket to appear in Murray Town Court at 5 p.m. on Aug. 9.

An order of protection was issued for the worker.

Sidonio last month lost a Republican primary for another term as town supervisor to Gerry Rightmyer, 350-237.

UPDATED AT 5:56 P.M.: Joe Sidonio’s attorney Robert C. Singer issued this statement and press release on behalf of Sidonio:

Joseph Sidonio of Holley, New York, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless engagement filed against him by a Town of Murray Highway Department employee. The charge alleges that Mr. Sidonio, the current Murray Town Supervisor, recklessly swerved his truck, at a high rate of speed, towards a town employee who was driving out of the town parking lot on June 12, 2023.

Mr. Sidonio entered his plea of not guilty last night in Murray Town Court. At the arraignment, both the sitting justice and the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office indicated that they were moving to recuse themselves from the case due to a conflict of interest. The case was transferred to the 8th Judicial District for reassignment to a different court. The recusal of the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office will require the appointment of an independent Special Prosecutor.

Sidonio’s attorney, Robert C. Singer, Esq., of Singer Legal PLLC, stated, “Joe Sidonio pleaded not guilty because this allegation is categorically false and completely unsupported by the evidence. We look forward to challenging this spurious accusation, brought by a disgruntled town employee, for the purpose of a politically motivated attack.”

Attorney Singer added: “I am puzzled by the fact that the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office saw fit to investigate this allegation and, later, issue a press release about it, when everyone else involved in this matter – the Judge and the DA’s Office included – believed it was appropriate to recuse themselves so that an independent person can evaluate this case on its merits. My hope is that the Sheriff’s Office will reconsider its further involvement in this case and recuse itself from the investigation.”