Former New York Sheriff Convicted On Misdemeanor Charges Of Using Office To Retaliate Against Critics

August 25, 2008 10:47 a.m. EST

Waterloo, NY (AHN) - A former New York sheriff has been convicted of misdemeanor charges of official misconduct stemming from using his official position to retaliate against critics who posted comments about him on an online forum.

Former Sheriff Leo Connolly was found guilty of the misdemeanor charges but acquitted of two felony charges by a Seneca County jury that deliberated for 12 hours over two days.

Connolly has maintained his innocence of all charges since he was indicted in 2007 and his attorney, who called no witnesses, said he feels confident that Connolly's conviction will be overturned on appeal, according to local reports.

He remains free on bail with his sentencing set for Oct. 16.

Connolly reportedly directed former Undersheriff James R. Larson to his critics with "whatever violations of law he could," according to Cayuga County News reports.

However, none of the people who posted comments critical of Connolly on the website were ever ticketed or arrested.