MONTICELLO – The State Attorney General’s Office is going
to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the ATV crash on
the property of Peter LaBuda, involving his brother, Sullivan County Court
Judge Frank LaBuda. Peter LaBuda was injured in the Sunday, September
25 incident. Peter LaBuda alleged his brother, intentionally ran over
him with the vehicle.
Sullivan District Attorney James Farrell made the decision to request
a special prosecutor within 48 hours of his being notified of the incident
and he requested the attorney general handle the case on Tuesday, September
27.
Farrell said while he believes his office could have handled the cause
fairly and impartially, “out of an abundance of caution and to avoid
the appearance of impropriety,” he requested the attorney general
take over the case.
The Attorney General and State Police will conduct an investigation with
the AG having the power to prosecute any indictable offenses resulting
out of the incident and have full prosecutorial powers on all matters
related to this incident pursuant to the law, said Farrell.
The DA requested that the sheriff’s office, which conducted the
initial investigation, “preserve any and all evidence that may have
been obtained and cooperate fully with the attorney general and State
Police as they independently investigate and review the matter.”
