Former North Greenbush political
boss F. James Germano pleaded guilty to felony solicitation, Monday, the day
his trial was to begin.
The 86-year-old Germano was
arrested on Nov. 2, 2012 in Vero Beach Fla., for offering a 12-year-old boy money
for sex and then making the same offer to the boy’s mother. He was initially
charged with two counts of stalking, attempting to procure a person under the
age of 18 for sex and solicitation and lewd and lascivious behavior.
All but the solicitation charge
were dropped in the more than two-year process. He is slated for sentencing on
March 3.
Germano ran everything political
in North Greenbush for some three decades. He stepped down as Democratic Party
chair in 2002 amid allegations he swapped his considerable political influence
for favors from then County Executive Henry Zwack.
Germano, Zwack and three of the
latter’s top aides were acquitted by a jury.
The heavyset Germano was one of
the more colorful characters in Rensselaer County politics. Once during a
raucous committee meeting where Germano was vying to be the party chair he
stood up and said “the next person who calls me a thug I’m going to break his
legs.” Another, during another equally raucous meeting of the Democrats, one
party member said he would not let the party turn in a “Banana Republic.”
Germano leaned towards a friend and asked quite innocently “Did he just call me
an ape?”
Oh my stars band garters, the wheels of justice grind slowly, but surely! It's like the way they got Capone! Rockin' good news! Felix will love the honeymoon suite at the state Hilton, especially with his love for "democracy minorities". It's X-Mas in the 'bush all over again!...Raoul Duke
ReplyDeleteWho cares. Let's talk about how many Republicans it takes to prosecute a child beater.
ReplyDeleteGrabbing an unruly 17 year old son by the neck vs offering sex from a boy waiting for the school bus. Your a sick bastard.
DeleteWho cares? Either way it was a crime against a child. At least the pedophile was prosecuted.
DeleteOr we can play How Many Dems does it take too; Steal votes and get away with it, or take nude photo's of a 16yr old boy @ Dem HQ, or steal HUD money, or cover up for all the pervs at city hall viewing porn, or using CDBG money to illegally put in sidewalks for those commies on 5th ave, or tear down an asbesto's laden building illegally, or stealing unemployment money, or having the DA give legal advice to a vote forger about to be charged, or adding patronage jobs after another tax increase, or reckessly almost blowing up South Troy, If that's not enough- see above. Tickle Me Germano!
DeleteHave the Tutunjians paid their back taxes yet? Maybe we can avoid laying off a police officer.
ReplyDeleteHave you retained a lawyer yet commissioner dunne?
DeleteAt least we can have chickens. Right commissioner Dunne?
DeleteScumbag
ReplyDeleteGet a job Gary!
ReplyDeleteBoo yaaaa
ReplyDeleteAnother pillar of the community bites the dust.
ReplyDeleteMartin Reid?
DeleteFelix(his real name) and I were political enemies and I had no use for him. However, this kind of stuff was never on the radar. I suspect some dementia is in play here.
ReplyDeleteAgain, another big story that did not make the Troy Record. Good work James (Franco, not Germano).
ReplyDeleteAh the face of the Rennselear County democratic party. Another proud moment.
ReplyDeleteGood thing he's not a Republican in Rensselaer County... the DA would've dropped the charges.
ReplyDeleteYea, but he's not. He's a true blue dem.....just like the rest of you.
DeleteCrist is thanking his lucky stars right now that he doesn't live in Florida
DeleteI hope he lets Martin Reid help him with his paperwork.
ReplyDeleteI remember this man growing up (seemed rough around the edges but was really a sweet guy) and have been following the story and have read the statements. There has been so many inconsistencies with the kids testimony. First he didn't mention someone at the bus stop but then later calls the police and all of sudden remembers? I feel that this old man is being set up by some scumbag for some odd reason and there is a whole lot more to this story that he probably doesn't even know. I think this old guy was tired of fighting this.
ReplyDeleteTitle is INCORRECT - he did not plead guilty. He gave up fighting and wanted this battle to end. Nobody at this age should have to endure what this old guy has gone through. I can hardly believe that an old guy who has NO history of what he was accused of decided to wake up at 80 plus years of age and decided wanting to solicit a boy for sex. Really, think about this! Why the family has not hired a private eye to help this guy is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he stiffed the mother on her performance and bullied her, she then told the kid to concoct the story. This really doesn't make sense.
DeleteIncident people do not plead guilty of any kind. Jimmy knows what he has done. Bad blood will follow you wherever you go Jimmy. You have made many enemies over the years. Karma is a bit*h. If you're not guilty why aren't you fighting for your rights, your name etc? Why? Because this incident isn't your first. Florida authorities know you all to well and so do I ...old buddy.
DeleteOLD INNOCENT PEOPLE DO TAKE PLEA'S as they give up fighting and that is why the elderly get taken advantage of. Read the news! It is so sad that you have so many bad wishes for this man. Be careful when you wish ill of someone as sometimes this thing called KARMA bites you!
DeleteIt's nice to know there are DAs out there who fight to protect kids.
ReplyDeleteHe was always an outspoken racist and homophobe so, methinks he doth protest too much.....
ReplyDeleteCalvin Spaulding
Yes he was an outspoken racist and homophobe. I can't wrap myself around this as it makes no sense. I think its definitely a false allegation and that this guy is old and tired of fighting the charge. Probably some low life piece of trash looking to get some cash out of him somewhere down the line.
DeleteJimmy didn't do it Just like a BEAR doesn't crap in the woods c'mon folks he's a dirty old man. Too cheap to pay for a room and call/pay for a escort.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you show him how to do it, Rich?
DeleteRead the statements Jimmy is clearly being set up by some low life who is looking for something. Jimmy is a man of routine. She probably has been watching him and is looking for cash. The guy can hardly walk and has health issues I doubt having sex is on his mind.
ReplyDeletePoor old freak, instead of pleading guilty he should have given the woman a fist full of 50s that he stole from N Greenbush
DeleteOh now this old man is being accused of stealing money. I remember this guy growing up and the one thing I remember about him is that he would bend over backwards helping others and then they would end up turning on him. He was the only one that new what loyalty was.
DeleteCouldn't happen to a nicer fella, feel bad for the young boy. He will never forget that old freak!!!
ReplyDeleteI am sure the young boy has moved on as he didn't even remember the incident when he was first interviewed by the police
DeleteCast a hundred dollar bill into a trailer park n see what u catch, good luck jimmy.
ReplyDelete