GHENT—Livingston State Police investigators have charged a local man with 16 felonies relating to the forgery of legal documents.
John Novine, 45, of Kinderhook was charged with six counts of second degree forgery, six counts of first degree offering a false instrument for filing, three counts of first degree falsifying business records and one count of criminal possession of a forgery device, October 28.
Mr. Novine, who is a designer/draftsman, was hired by customers to draw up plans for homes, garages and additions. He then allegedly unlawfully stamped and signed those plans using a duplicate of a stamp belonging to a bona fide state licensed engineer.
Mr. Novine made the duplicate of the stamp without the engineer’s knowledge or permission. He then charged customers for stamping the blueprints or plans and allowed customers to file them with building inspectors in the towns of Ghent, Kinderhook and Chatham.
The ruse came to light when one customer ran into some problem with the plans for his house that was under construction. The customer then contacted the real engineer, whose stamp appeared on the plans, to discuss the issue. The real engineer told the customer he did not know what he was talking about as he had never signed or stamped the man’s house plans.
The engineer then took the matter to the State Police, according to Investigator Abdul Weed.
It is not know how long Mr. Novine has been using the duplicate stamp, said the investigator. Mr. Novine met the engineer through another contractor several years ago and they have had some past business dealings, he said.
Arraigned in Ghent Town Court before Justice David Harrison Sr, Mr. Novine was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bail bond. He is to reappear in Ghent Court December 7.
Anyone who had plans drafted by Mr. Novine and questions the authenticity of the engineer’s stamp and signature, should contact Investigator Weed or Senior Investigator Gary Mazzacano at SP Livingston (518) 851-2001.
Valatie
Jennifer Mullet, 46, of Valatie was charged with second degree attempted assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, fourth degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct by Deputies Brendan Filli and Louis Bray, October 30 at 10:18 p.m.
Ms. Mullet allegedly used vulgar and obscene language in a public place. When deputies advised her she was under arrest, she allegedly struck and damaged the hood of their patrol vehicle with her fists. She was allegedly uncooperative when she taken into custody and punched Deputy Filli in the face with a closed fist.
The incident occurred on Route 9 in the village.
Ms. Mullet was arraigned in Greenport Court before Justice Francis Abitable and was sent to the county jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bail bond.
Ms. Mullet will appear in Village Court November 5.
Alcohol/drugs
The following face alcohol- or drug-related charges:
*Robert A. Doty, Jr., 21, of Stuyvesant was charged with driving while intoxicated, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content greater than .08%, second degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, unregistered motor vehicle, improper license plates, operating without insurance, parking on the highway and driving without a license during a traffic stop on County 25A, Stuyvesant Falls by Deputy Louis Bray, October 31 at 10:30 p.m.
Released with traffic tickets, Mr. Doty was directed to appear in Stuyvesant Court November 18.
*Nicholas J. Kachuba, 26, of Claverack was charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while intoxicated, failure to keep right and operating an uninspected motor vehicle by Deputies Louis Bray and Eli Fieser, November at 2:20 a.m.
Deputies say that Mr. Kachuba was driving a 2006 Pontiac south on Route 9H in Claverack when his vehicle struck a cement curb on Route 66 as he made the turn at a high rate of speed. His vehicle was damaged in the process.
Mr. Kachuba was issued traffic tickets directing him to appear in Claverack Court November 17.
*Delroy Smith, 45, of Hudson was charged with operating a motor vehicle while ability impaired by drugs, speed in zone and failure to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of an address change during a traffic stop on Route 66, Greenport by Deputies Louis Bray and Eli Fieser, November 1 at 4:03 a.m.
Mr. Smith will answer the charges November 17 in Greenport Court.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@ColumbiaPaper.com
