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ALBANY---The son of Schenectady Police Chief Michael Geraci Sr. surrendered to Albany City Police Friday after being charged with the felony filing of a false police report and misdemeanor assault.
Michael Geraci Jr., surrounded by dozens of police officers appearing in support of him and trying to shield him from the media, pleaded not guilty in Albany City Court for allegedly assaulting a 73-year-old retired dentist in a December incident. He was released without bail.
Geraci, who faces up to four years in prison if convicted, is being represented by former Albany City Court judge and former prosecutor Cheryl Coleman.
According to court records, John Behrmann, a retired dentist who lives in Albany's South End, was arrested by Geraci on Dec. 30 and charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct and public intoxication after he allegedly refused to leave a Madison Avenue restaurant where he was allegedly holding an open bottle of liquor and screaming obscenities. Police removed him to the South End police station to process him for the arrest.
The district attorney's office has yet to release a video which purportedly shows Geraci trying to encourage the handcuffed Behrmann to get out of a police van. When Behrman did not emerge from the van voluntarily, Geraci allegedly grabbed him by his legs and pulled him from the van, causing Behrmann to strike his head on the pavement and sustaining injuries. Behrmann claims Geraci also threw him against a door.
Coleman said she believes the surveillance tape will show that her client did nothing wrong. He was suspended from the Albany Police Department in March.
Berhmann has since been arrested for an unrelated incident in which he allegedly broke a window in the apartment complex where he lives. He has been charged with felony criminal mischief and is lodged in the Albany County Jail. If convicted, he too faces up to four years in prison. A special prosecutor has been assigned for that case.
Geraci's father said that he was grateful that other officers had shown their support for his son. "They understand it could be any officer in any agency", the police chief said.
The case is being investigated by the public integrity unit of the Albany County District Attorney's office and is expected to be presented to a Grand Jury.
Coleman says that the DA's office is making an example out of her client. She said that "in the execution of it, they have seized on the first case that's come along and by doing so, they're not only going to embarrass themselves but they have embarrassed and humiliated and unnecessarily accused someone who did nothing wrong.
Kiley Scott, Berhmann's attorney, said that Coleman was trying to do damage control and that the charges against Geraci were merited. 4-28-06
© 2006 North
Country Gazette
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