F. James Germano gets yet another trial date

GERMANO

For at the fifth time, F. James Germano’s trial has been postponed.

The former North Greenbush political boss stands charged with the misdemeanor solicitation for prostitution and the felony of lewd, lascivious or indecent behavior in Indian River County Court. His new trial date is Dec. 15.

According to court records, Germano stipulated to a surveillance video and hearsay testimony – which means they will be entered into evidence should the case make it to a jury.

Germano was arrested on Nov. 2, 2012 by Vero Beach Police. The 85-year-old was initially charged with procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution, a felony, and two misdemeanor counts of stalking. Those charges were thrown out and he was arrested for the two crimes he stands charged with now.

According to Vero Beach police, Germano allegedly offered a 12-year-old boy money in exchange for sex while the boy was waiting for a bus near his home. The boy called his mother on a cell phone and when she came to the bus stop, Germano allegedly made her a similar offer.

He was last set to go to trial on Aug. 25 with a conference slated for Nov. 6. Germano was not in court for the conference but Judge Robert L. Pegg set the new trial date.

He remains free on $65,000 bail.

Before stepping down after three decades as the town's Democratic Party chair, Germano controlled all things political in North Greenbush, and his influence was felt throughout Rensselaer County and across the river in Albany too.

He was tried along then County Executive Henry Zwack on charges the two – plus three of Zwack’s top aides – conspired to circumvent Civil Service Law. The five allegedly tried to give Germano’s grandson another crack at the physical agility portion of his Civil Service exam so he could remain a North Greenbush cop and in return Zwack would get the Conservative Party endorsement for his re-election bid. All five were found not guilty.

Here is a link to some older stories.

Germano's trial slated for Aug. 25

GERMANO

      The bizarre case of former political boss F. James Germano was postponed for a fourth time and is now on the docket for Aug. 25 in front of Judge Robert L. Pegg in Indian River County, Florida.

Germano’s trial to answer charges of committing a lewd, lascivious or indecent act, a felony, and the misdemeanor of solicitation of a prostitute was initially slated for April.

The now 85-year-old was arrested near his Vero Beach Florida home in November 2012 for allegedly offering a 12-year-old boy $50 for sex. The youngster, who was waiting at a bus stop not far from his home, called his mother from a cell phone. When the mom came to the scene, Germano was still there and he allegedly made her the same offer.

Charges of procuring a person under the age of 18 years old for sex, a felony, and two counts of misdemeanor stalking were dropped by the prosecutor. Germano was later re-arrested on the lewd and lascivious behavior charge. The political boss for three decades remains free on $65,000 bail.

GERMANO

Since this is the fourth time the trial was rescheduled, it’s likely the two sides have tried to come to some sort of plea deal. Germano is 85 years old, after all, and there isn’t even a hint of sexually abusing minors in his history. He’s made some enemies, too, so even a whisper of such a thing would have quickly turned into a shout.

But, to say Germano’s unique charm is an acquired taste is an understatement so my guess is Florida authorities are having a tough time warming up to the man who could have starred in the Sopranos.

Here’s a link to some history behind one of the most colorful politicians to every come out of the Capital Region.