WATCH Allard appeared on “Frankly Speaking” on Big FOX WDYC
By Andrew Harris, pictured is host Frank Acomb with Sheriff Allard
The legal battle that was sparked when Steuben County voted to remove the insurance protections from the county sheriff seemed to be over after a NYS Supreme Court ruling. That ruling was in favor of Sheriff James Allard and chastised the Steuben County government for an unlawful action. The legal costs to the county are estimated to have exceeded $200,000 prior to this appeal filing.
This week Steuben County legislature voted to file to appeal that ruling, a move that surprised Allard and his supporters. Of note, County Legislative Chair Kelly Fitzpatrick voted against the appeal.
The general public and Steuben County taxpayer overwhelming supported the Sheriff and many called the action by the county “lawfare,” in an attempt to move Allard out of office. In a pointed letter to the editor from Hornell businessman, Joe Huang-Racalto put it bluntly in a March 12 OP-ED:
“The County’s attempt to strip the Sheriff of indemnification was one of the most reckless and dangerous decisions in Steuben County history. This legal protection is essential for all law enforcement officers to do their jobs without fear of personal financial ruin. The County Legislature deliberately put Sheriff Allard at risk, proving once and for all that their so-called “support for law enforcement” is nothing more than political theater.”
Allard didn’t take the effort kindly and didn’t bow to the pressure. He took the county to court, used his own retirement money to fund his effort, and was successful in correcting the county’s action. The Sheriff issued a statement which included the full judgement from the NYS Supreme Court:
Don’t miss this very revealing interview on Frankly Speaking where Allard looks back at the ordeal, explains why he considers this a matter of principle, and talks about what is next in the saga.
“I look at this as an opportunity to clean up county government,” – Sheriff James Allard
