With jury selection taking place Monday, January 23, the criminal trial of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin began on Tuesday, January 24. McLaughlin was indicted in December 2021 on charges of third degree grand larceny and first degree offering a false instrument for filing, relating to a $5,000 withdrawal from his campaign funds in 2017 that he allegedly used to pay an aide. The defense stated the funds in question were used legitimately to pay a consulting firm.
On Wednesday, January 25, after deliberating for about an hour, the jury found McLaughlin not guilty on all charges.
“I look forward to continuing our work reducing taxes, expanding important County services, strengthening our quality of life and economic opportunity, and protecting our quality of life. Thank you to the jury for their fair consideration, my family and friends for unwavering support, and to my outstanding attorneys Ben Hill and Thomas Capezza for ensuring the truth was heard,” stated County Executive Steve McLaughlin.
