DA recuses office in deputy's domestic violence case

  Putnam County District Attorney Robert Tendy has recused himself and his office from prosecuting a Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy charged in an alleged domestic violence incident involving his wife, a county legislator. 

Deputy Brian Osika, a 10-year veteran of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested last month following a reported domestic dispute with Legislator Erin Crowley (R-Mahopac). Tendy said his office stepped aside because both Osika and Crowley are well known to prosecutors, creating what he called the appearance of a conflict of interest. 

Osika, a 10-year department veteran and vice president of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Police Benevolent Association. His wife, Crowley, also serves as a community liaison for Republican Congressman Mike Lawler. 

Osika was recently in the news for a lawsuit filed on behalf of the PBA alleging that the county was underpaying deputies’ overtime. 

According to State Trooper Krystal P. Paolicelli, public information officer for Troop K, on Saturday, Feb. 21, at approximately 5 a.m., troopers were dispatched to a private residence in Mahopac regarding a reported domestic incident. Upon arrival, troopers determined that the victim and Osika, 43, were involved in a physical altercation. 

Osika was arrested and charged with one count of third-degree assault (with intent to cause physical injury), a class A misdemeanor, and one count of second-degree aggravated harassment (communicating a threat by phone, computer, or mail), also a class A misdemeanor. 

At the time of his arrest, Osika was suspended from his job for 30 days without pay, and a temporary order of protection was issued. 

“We are recusing ourselves because everyone in the office knows Erin Crowley as she is a Putnam County legislator, and we often work with her, especially during budget season,” Tendy told Mahopac News. “Most of the assistant district attorneys and I also know Deputy Osika so there would be an appearance of impropriety and a conflict of interest, even though nothing improper would happen. Whenever there is even an appearance of impropriety, a DA’s office will always recuse itself.” 

Tendy said the case would now be tried in Dutchess County. 

At the time of Osika's arrest, Sheriff Brian Hess said that his department holds its deputies to the “highest professional and ethical standards.” 

“While the legal process moves forward, it would be inappropriate to comment further,” he said. “The Sheriff’s Office will continue to cooperate fully with the investigating agency and will take any appropriate administrative action based on the findings.”