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Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Just when you forgot how sleazy he is, another story surfaces...

Village of Albion mayor is once again in trouble with the law. Wednesday morning he faced a judge, accused of stealing money from a village fundraiser.

The mayor seems to blaming his troubles on his political enemies. At this point he has no plans to resign despite another call from residents.

The sleepy town of Albion awakened to more news about its embattled mayor Michael Hadick. Some angry residents want him to resign.

News 4 reporter Lorey Schultz took the question to residents, "Do you think its time for the mayor to step down?"

"Yes, most definitely, there shouldn't be any question about it," replied Ron Root.

The mayor returned to court Wednesday morning where he pled not guilty to petit larceny and official misconduct, both misdemeanors. Last week state police accused him of stealing money from a fund raiser meant to defray the cost of the city's Fourth of July fireworks display.

"The nature of the allegations are - that certain monies were received at certain concessions during the evening," said Joseph Cardone, Orleans County District Attorney.

"Those monies were collected at those concessions and not turned over by him."

Hadick came under fire last year after pleading guilty to driving while impaired. Residents then called for his resignation after racy pictures allegedly of him surfaced on the Internet.

He emerged from court Wednesday with an apology on this latest matter but no admit of guilt.

"As a politically exposed person, these things are expected," said Hadick. "We're going to work through this and deal with it. I'm continuing to lead village as mayor of Albion and don't see that changing anytime in the near future."

Some of his constituents wish otherwise.

"If he were running for re-election and the election were tomorrow, would you vote for him," asked Schultz.

"Oh, absolutely not, absolutely not," said resident Mary Guerrero.

"You've lost faith?"

"Yeah."

The mayor still insists he has a lot of supporters and will continue his term through 2010.

"I'm a politically exposed person and these things are expected. You know that, you know that. When you're that you and you your family are always exposed to things like this," said Hadick.

It looks like this case is headed for a trial. The mayor is due back in court on November 19th. These are misdemeanor charges and the mayor could face up to a year behind bars.

We'll have the latest on the story Wednesday night on News 4 at 5 and 6.

Story by Lorey Schultz, WIVB.

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