Originally Posted - July 29, 2006

return home

WASHINGTON COUNTY---A former member of the Lake George Park Commission and past town board member for the northern Washington County town of Dresden has been indicted on 25 charges which accuse him of sexually abusing three young girls over seven years, including while he was serving on the town board.

Thomas Wood, 70, faces 13 counts of first degree sexual abuse, all felonies, and 12 misdemeanor counts of forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child.

The investigation of Wood began earlier this year when State Police received complaints about him and charged him with a misdemeanor for allegedly kissing a 9-year-old girl.

The allegations involve a swimming pool at Wood's home and police say that he allowed town children to use the pool. According to the indictment, the three girls, ranging in age from 9 to 17, claim that Wood fondled their breasts, buttocks or genitalia between 1999 and this April.

Most of the alleged incidents occurred while he was serving on the town board. He had served multiple terms as a councilman until he was defeated last fall.

Wood's attorney, Michael Martin, says that Wood maintains that he is innocent of the charges and asserts that they are politically motivated. He has pleaded not guilty to the earlier misdemeanor.

One of the girls is reportedly the daughter of one of Wood's former political opponents.

Following arraignment in Washington County Court on the new charges, he was remanded to the Washington County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash/$20,000 bond. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in state prison on each of the sexual abuse counts. 7-29-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette