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ESPERANCE---Charles P. Myles, Esperance town justice since 1999, has been charged with stealing electricity from National Grid by bypassing the electric meter at his residential property in Sloansville, about 24 miles west of Albany.
Myles, 64, has been charged with third degree grand larceny, a felony; falsifying business records and criminal tampering.
The utility company, formerly known as Niagara Mohawk, claims that as a result of an investigation, it was determined that Myles had allegedly stolen about $3,000 worth of electricity from October 1999 until Nov. 23 of this year.
He was arrested by the state police and arraigned before Schoharie town justice Frederick Kennedy Sr. He was released on $500 bail and is scheduled to reappear in court on Jan. 9.
Myles is reportedly a mechanic by trade. His attorney, Paul Callahan, said that Myles denies the charges. Although the utility's investigation found some type of device that allegedly bypassed the meter box and fed electricity directly into Myles' residence, Myles said he had no knowledge of it.
It's common procedure to suspend a judge from the bench if the judge is charged with a felony. If convicted, Myles could face up to seven years in state prison. 12-23-05
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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