TOWN OF PAWLING – Pleasant Valley resident Thomas Basile, 55, has been arrested and arraigned on a felony charge for improper behavior at Pawling Town Hall, where he works. Basile is the code enforcement officer and was charged with felony eavesdropping by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office.
Mid-Hudson News has learned that on January 5, 2024, in his office at town hall, Basile activated the recorder app on his cell phone, left the phone in recording mode on his desk, and left the building and premises. Law enforcement claims Basile did so to record a private conversation that was taking place among his coworkers, including Building Department Clerk Jade McSpedon, who recently resigned from her position.
Thursday night’s arraignment was held on consent of the prosecutor and defense counsel. Both Town of Pawling justices have recused themselves from hearing the case. A new court will be assigned to hear the case in the near future.
Basile served as the code enforcement officer until April 1, 2022, when he resigned to take the same position with the Town of Amenia before taking the code enforcement position with Pawling.
Pawling Town Supervisor James Schmitt did not respond to a request for comment.
