You are right. And I'll also bet that if it had happened to my house EIGHT YEARS AGO, the case would have been closed SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS AGO! The only reason this has still remained an issue is due to the fact that a cop thinks it was intended for his house. And perhaps it was. I'mnot the one defending or prosecuting this guy.
And having $120 G's in his home is hardly evidence. My uncle has $250 G's in his safe at home. REALLY! He just worked and saved and didn't believe in banks. IMHO
What about the other accusations he is being accused of.......not defending him ..thanks for the CAPS i hear you quite well...you are a anti union..anti law enforcement piece of work... let me guess i bet you are a HUGE Carl Strock fan
Bumble is a huge John Mertz fan.... which is an anomaly to say the least.
I don't understand what is so fishy about arresting someone 8 yrs after the fact. Maybe new evidence was developed; or new technology developed or someone came forward, or some other of the dozens of possibilities...
You suggest that this case got some kind of extra attention because the person targeted might have been a cop. Had it been solved quickly- you would have argued that if it wasnt a cop it wouldnt have been solved so quickly. Now, it took 8 yrs so the argument changes to- wow they kept investigating this for 8 yrs because a cop was the intended victim.
The DA said that this Raucci guy was a school employee for 36 years and that this was a "course of conduct" over the years, etc. He alluded to other incidents and said there would be other charges and that they were investigating incidents throughout the capital district.
When this thing shakes out, you will probably see that there were many things this guy did that he was never arrested for, for whatever reason. Just be grateful that the RPD and troopers finally arrested this guy.
I would be inclined to disagree with you about Bumble being a "piece of work" but if I elaborate, I might get censored!
Hey, don't be jumping all over me for my perception. Jump all over the gazette or whoever gave them their information. It's an opinion formed on the information people read.
And I'm not anti-cop. I am however, anti-union. No big secret there. And I'm certainly not the only person in the world who feels that way. And yes I liked Mertz. I thought he was a good town board member. I think he did good for Masullo Est and for the fight against Walmart. Both of which I thought were important issues in the town. Anytime anyone has a criticism regarding law enforcement or a union, they are labeled with the name of Mertz. That is unfair and very short sighted. Get over it!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I would be inclined to disagree with you about Bumble being a "piece of work" but if I elaborate, I might get censored!
It clearly appears that when someone disagrees with unions, they should be ready for the retaliation and name calling to start. It is a sad state of affairs when free speech, opinions and perceptions are only for the 'select'.
Let me make it very clear.....many of my relatives and friends are not only union employees but some are agents for unions in and out of this state. Some are union presidents and union treasures. But for some reason, we can all have a discussion for or against unions and there is no 'name calling'. I guess it just matters 'what' union one belongs to.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
It clearly appears that when someone disagrees with unions, they should be ready for the retaliation and name calling to start. It is a sad state of affairs when free speech, opinions and perceptions are only for the 'select'.
Let me make it very clear.....many of my relatives and friends are not only union employees but some are agents for unions in and out of this state. Some are union presidents and union treasures. But for some reason, we can all have a discussion for or against unions and there is no 'name calling'. I guess it just matters 'what' union one belongs to.
Only in Schenectady Bumble ... only in Schenectady.
SCHENECTADY Alleged arsonist suspended School district places Raucci on leave; investigation ongoing BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter
The Schenectady City School District employee accused of placing an explosive device at a Rotterdam home back in 2001 has been placed on paid administrative leave as some parents raised questions about their children’s safety at school. Stephen Raucci, 60, who serves as the district’s head of facilities, has been charged with arson for allegedly detonating an explosive device at a Shardon Court residence. The explosion damaged the entryway but no one was injured. On Friday, Rotterdam police arrested Raucci when he arrived at his office at Mont Pleasant Middle School. Authorities also seized two computers, $120,000 in cash and three handguns from Raucci’s house at 1421 Balltown Road, where he lives with his wife. Raucci appeared in Town Court gazette.com Monday evening wearing a prison-issue orange jumpsuit and shackles. Defense Attorney Steven Kouray, who represented Raucci during the short hearing, declined to answer questions about the case. “No comment,” he said outside Town Court. “I’m just here for the hearing today.” During the hearing, Raucci stood silently before the judge and made no audible statements in the roughly five-minute proceeding. Afterward, he appeared despondent as he sat in the jury box with other inmates from the jail. Officials at the Schenectady County Jail on Monday confirmed Raucci was placed on “mental-health suicide watch” upon his incarceration Friday. However, a lieutenant at the jail declined to discuss the reason for the watch. Meanwhile, a few parents refused to send their children to Mont Pleasant on Monday after police found a small explosive device in Raucci’s office in the school building on Friday after his arrest. Authorities are currently analyzing the device. Parent Kristen Kwiatkowski pointed out that Raucci had access to all the district’s buildings. “There’s no proof that any of these schools are safe. Obviously, our children’s lives were in danger,” she said. Superintendent of Schools Eric Ely said the district’s buildings are safe or otherwise authorities would not have let students and workers come to ALSO INSIDE DETECTIVE SAYS case against Raucci was tough one to break. A6 EDITORIAL, page A7 school on Monday. The district was also not asked to evacuate any buildings on Friday, although there were no classes because of winter break. School officials did do a visual inspection of the building. He also noted that Raucci’s office is located in a remote area of the building that children cannot access. “There’s no indication that this was targeted at students in any away,” he said. “There’s no indication that students were in danger at any time.” Ely said attendance was normal at the schools on Monday. The district office had received about 30 phone calls from concerned parents and the district sent out a letter explaining the situation. The criminal investigation concerning Raucci is ongoing and district officials say they know only what has been reported in the news. “It is, however, my understanding that neither the investigation nor the allegations against Mr. Raucci involve students in any way,” Ely said. Raucci has worked for the school district for 36 years and makes $79,297 a year in his current position as the district’s head utility worker. He is responsible for maintenance and custodial and cleaning staffs, as well as supervising capital improvement projects throughout the district. Raucci also serves as president of the district’s local CSEA chapter. Schenectady County clerk records show that Raucci has lived at his Niskayuna address since 1997 and his $94,000 mortgage was paid by 2004. Ely said there had been rumors swirling around for a long time about Raucci’s activities in the union, but he could only remember one specific allegation in 2004 when an employee came into his office expressing concern about something that happened at his house concerning Raucci. He could not remember the details but said he encouraged this person to go to the police. He has not had a lot of formal complaints, he said, but they would have been turned over to the district’s human resources department for an investigation. “There’s nothing in [Raucci’s] record to show there’s an allegation of this type,” Ely said. Ely said nobody has told him they were afraid of Raucci and he has always been professional in his dealings with the superintendent. “He’s never lost his temper with me. Never threatened me.” As for how long Raucci would be on paid suspension, Ely said there is a process that has to be followed according to contractual guidelines. Raucci’s duties are being temporarily filled by his assistant. Authorities believe the intended target of the Shardon Court explosion lived in a different house on that street. Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said previously that officials are investigating what was described as an ongoing pattern of intimidation of people who had “crossed” Raucci. He did not know how many incidents are being investigated. State police formed a task force in 2006 to investigate the 2001 incident and other vandalism complaints. Anyone with information about Raucci is asked to call Rotterdam police at 355-7397, state police at 1-800-GIVE-TIP or crimetip@troopers.state.ny.us, or Carney at 388-4364. Raucci is also cited in a pending federal lawsuit against the school district. Former school custodial supervisor Ronald Kriss is seeking $8 million in damages, claiming that Raucci made demeaning comments toward Kriss because he suffers from irritable bowel syndrome and an anxiety disorder and that he inappropriately touched him. Kriss alleges that Raucci asked whether Kriss needed to “wear a colostomy bag,” and that he should relieve himself in his pants. In addition, he said Raucci played something called the “man game” with various employees by running his hand up the thigh of a male subordinate with the goal of grabbing his crotch, according to Kriss’ court affidavit. He goes on to allege that Raucci had gathered the maintenance staff to announce that he “had received a phone call and that he had an enemy in his midst.” He indicated that he would fire anyone who talked about what was going on in the facilities office. He also confronted Kriss and asked if he had spoken to Raucci’s predecessor about what was going on in the office. “When I replied that I had spoken to Lou Semioone, Raucci exploded stating that I was no longer part of the ‘gang,’ ” Kriss wrote. Kriss also alleges that Raucci had called a meeting of the Operations and Maintenance Department in May 2005 to inform people that the home of former employee Hal Gray had been damaged and graffiti was spray-painted on the house. Kriss said Raucci was involved in a CSEA dispute and Gray’s wife was a member of the union. “Raucci later that same day cryptically indicated, when confronted, that he was responsible for the vandalism by stating that the ‘war’ would not be over until [the Grays] were no longer breathing,” Kriss charged in court documents. Kriss sought a transfer to another building to work under a different supervisor. That request was also denied. He then took medical leave at the end of May 2005 because of what he said was a hostile work environment. Kriss also alleges that his vehicle was vandalized in the parking lot of a place where he worked part-time in July 2005. He said in court documents he lives “in fear of retribution from Raucci on a daily basis.” The Workers’ Compensation Board granted Kriss’ claim in May 2006 saying that “it is not reasonable for [Raucci] to argue that such conduct is part of a normal work environment.” Kriss did not return to work and the district terminated him in October 2006. In his sworn affidavit in the federal case, Raucci denied the allegations of improper conduct. He said he never denied Kriss the use of the bathroom, nor taunted him, touched him inappropriately or screamed in his face. Raucci said he tried to encourage a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. He also said he protected Kriss’ job from being eliminated during a proposed budget cut in 2004. He said he tried to help Kriss keep his job with.......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00100
SCHENECTADY Raucci charged in Schodack case DA: ‘Investigation has really ramped up’ as tips come in BY STEVEN COOK AND MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporters
Alleged arsonist Steve Raucci posted $200,000 bond Tuesday and was released — into the waiting handcuffs of a Schodack police detective. Raucci, the suspended city schools facilities director, was arrested Tuesday evening by Schodack police on a warrant charging him with first-degree attempted arson as he was being released from the Schenectady County Jail. The new charge Raucci follows a first-degree arson count he was initially arrested on Friday in Schenectady. In the Schodack case, Raucci is accused of placing an incendiary device at a Simons Road home in January 2007, Schodack Police Chief Bernhard Peter said. The device never went off. It was discovered after the resident called police about newly painted graffi ti believed related to the device. Raucci, 60, of Niskayuna, was arrested in Schenectady Friday, accused of placing another device at a Rotterdam home in August 2001. That device exploded, damaging a home’s entryway. No one was injured. In the 2001 case, Raucci is believed to have been targeting someone else but placed the device at the wrong address. In 2007 in Schodack, he hit his target, Peter said. Raucci, however, may not have been personally acquainted with the target, the chief said. “It was something he decided to get involved in and be helpful, shall we say,” Peter said. Schodack police have been working on their case in the two years since, getting help recently from other agencies, including the state police and Schenectady County District Attorney’s office. The information came together recently. “We were able to tie some things together and tie him to our case,” Peter said. Raucci was taken back to Schodack to be arraigned. Peter said prosecutors intend to ask that Raucci be held there without bail. Such a ruling would make Schenectady’s $200,000 bond moot. Such bonds typically require a 10 percent payment to a bondsman, money that is not returned. The rest is covered by property. Raucci defense attorney Steve Kouray Tuesday morning asked acting Schenectady County Court Judge Polly Hoye to set bond at $50,000. But prosecutor Ed Moynihan asked for more, arguing that his ties to the community were not strong and that he is suspected of other, similar crimes. Kouray could not be reached for comment later. The investigation into those other crimes has intensified, Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said Tuesday. Since Raucci’s Friday arrest, local police agencies have fielded several calls from people claiming they have information about the case, some with new allegations, Carney said. “The investigation has really ramped up,” Carney said. “We have a lot of leads to follow up on.” Indictments in the Schenectady case could come as early as Thursday. A hearing scheduled that day in Rotterdam Town Court would be canceled if indictments are handed up. Details of any indictment, however, may not be made available for some time. In the Schenectady case, Raucci is accused of detonating a small explosive device beneath the door handle of a Shardon Court residence. The Raucci family has known difficulties in the past. Steve Raucci’s father, Joseph Raucci, was sentenced to up to 50 years in state prison for killing his 6-year-old son Chad and trying to kill his estranged wife, Kathie, in June 1985. Joseph Raucci, who died in prison in 1992 at the age of 75, was convicted of firing into a car at his estranged wife and then hitting her friend. His 6-year-old son was found slumped over the front seat. Steve Raucci has worked in the Schenectady City School District for 36 years, rising to the post of director of facilities. He was placed on paid administrative leave by the district on Monday. Authorities said they found an incendiary device on Friday at his Mont Pleasant Middle School office similar to the one used in 2001. Police also seized two computers, $120,000 and three handguns from his home at 1421 Balltown Road, where he lives with his wife. Carney said authorities are still waiting for laboratory test results on the device found at Raucci’s office. He also said that Raucci did have a weapons permit. Carney said he is seeking to have that permit suspended or revoked pending prosecution. In addition, the state Civil Service Employees Association has taken over the local chapter where Raucci had been president. Capital Region CSEA spokeswoman Therese Assalian said the Schenectady CSEA Local 407 chapter had been placed in “administratorship” on Monday, which means that the state CSEA will take over day-to-day operations of the bargaining unit. She said the local chapter also has a vice president, treasurer and secretary, but state CSEA believed it was best to step in as a result of the allegations against Raucci. Assalian believed Raucci has been president since 2001 and receives no salary for the position. She was not aware of any issues at the local chapter. She said the local chapter functions fairly independently, although it receives support from the regional and state organization. Assalian said it was somewhat unusual — though not unheard of — that Raucci would be union president while holding a management position. “It’s not something we can control or change.” A message left at the CSEA Local 407 office on Balltown Road was not returned. As far any past criminal or civil cases against Raucci, the only thing in his file in Niskayuna Town Court was a seat belt ticket case from February 2006. Raucci lived in Scotia before moving to a townhouse in Niskayuna in 1997. Scotia police also ...........................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00102
they shouldnt leave him alone but pay the fine and move on this guy was a union man over here and he has been and will be working to help the workers and the people too so when they give him the sentence by the judge then there has to be this here taken in to consideration. OK? LAY OFF THE UNIONS NOW!
Yea, I would expect just a fine in this case. I mean, he is 60 years old and he is a union member, so they will take it easy on him. He probably didn't do any of those things people are saying he did for the last 20 years.
Yea, I would expect just a fine in this case. I mean, he is 60 years old and he is a union member, so they will take it easy on him. He probably didn't do any of those things people are saying he did for the last 20 years.
I just love it. This comes right down to saying "He's a lifelong union member. He can't be guilty of anything." Give me a break.
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