February 2009
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The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.

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The Peru Gazette welcomes comments on posted stories. The author MUST include his/her first and last name. No  foul or libelous language permitted. The Peru Gazette reserves the right to not publish a comment.

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Covel says he’s innocent – he will face trial

By John T. Ryan

On Monday, February 9, 2009 Peru Town Supervisor Donald Covel refused District Attorney Andrew Wiley’s offer to accept a guilty plea on the charge of obstruction of governmental administration and has asked for a trial.  Wiley is also expected to reintroduce previously dismissed charges of official misconduct and The Press Republican reported that additional charges may be introduced.

Covel’s Attorney Mark Cowen stated, “Mr. Covel did not fire the employee as alleged and he cannot admit something he did not do.” Cowen said that Covel is also concerned about the impact a guilty plea might have on the Town if the employee in question chooses to institute legal action against the Town.

A Clinton County Grand Jury indicted Donald Covel and his wife Linda in September 2008. Donald Covel was charged with three counts of official misconduct and one count of obstructing governmental administration. Linda Covel was charged with one count of filing a false instrument and one count of making a false written statement. All the charges are misdemeanors. Donald Covel allegedly abused his powers in office by firing Code and Zoning Enforcement Officer Paul Blaine without authorization. He subsequently approved an occupancy and building-permit application that his wife Linda submitted for Frosty Springs Bottling Company. Mrs. Covel is the legal owner of that company. In January, County Judge Patrick McGill dismissed all charges against Mrs. Covel and three of the four counts against Donald Covel citing improper instruction of the Grand Jury.