Gary Pivoda, the state janitor who investigators accused of selling drugs from a “man cave” in a downtown [Albany, NY] parking garage, walked in and out of City Court Monday morning a free man. But if authorities have their way, his freedom may be short lived.
Two weeks after State Police raided the reputed pot den Pivoda allegedly shared with his boss while they were supposed to be working, Judge Thomas Keefe dismissed the case after no prosecuting agency filed any paperwork associated with the appearance tickets issued by the troopers.
Gary Pivoda, 48, had faced a misdemeanor charge of possessing drug paraphernalia and a violation of unlawful possession of marijuana. But that was intentional and prosecutors still plan to examine felony charges in the case, according to an official with Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office who spoke on condition of anonymity. That official said the city court case, which was initiated by the State Police, was considered moot once the attorney general took over Friday and began to explore potentially more serious crimes. One official said there was no reason to continue the misdemeanor charge in City Court and take up staff time with court appearances in the local court.
Pivoda of Colonie was arrested two weeks ago after State Police raided the hidden party lounge the state inspector general’s office said Pivoda and his supervisor, Louis Marciano, 50, of Rensselaer, used as a lair for smoking pot and sleeping on state time. No charges were brought against Marciano.
Ah, things people do to get out of putting in a full day’s work, especially when the taxpayers are footing the bill. And don’t you just love the sitcom-iness behind the phrase, ‘man cave?’
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I suppose when he goes to jail, “man cave” will take on a hole new meaning. HAR!
Big deal. Compare this guy’s crime against those endless thefts by politicians…… Give this guy a break. I envy this guy, actually. Looks like a better way to spend the day than cleaning toilets…
I’d rather pay these guys to skive off work and smoke drugs than pay for corp welfare and bailouts. This is small potatoes in the scheme of things.
The Prosecutor screws up the case and the Attorney General gets involved. Nope, I smell a cover-up.
The “man cave” pictured looks no different than any similar break room set up by an employee(s). There doesn’t appear to be anything State issued.
Ha ha ha Judge “Keef” I get it, it’s an Onion piece right?
How much is the public going to pay to keep them behind bars? Pot Laws == Keep a Lawyer, Cop and Screw Employed Act. Disgusting.
If he kept up with his job and everything was clean, let him have his little stoner pad. He must have been slacking.
Someone wanted the parking space. That is what this is all about.
As someone who lives in albany NY: I will say it I never more over blown case in my life. Bottom line is they set up an unathorized break room. One of the dopes was selling minor amounts of pot. They accussed of goufing off on company time. Oh my god take them shot them!
I can think at least two NY State sentors (Pedro Aspada & Hiram Monsirate ) that could be investgated be AG instead. What waste time and print!
Again we see “felony” & “marijuana” in the same sentence. Bald brazen absurdity rules the day.
A table, a lamp and a small TV, that’s not my idea of a man cave, where’s the big flat screen TV, surround sound and cooler?
“Ah, things people do to get out of putting in a full day’s work, especially when the taxpayers are footing the bill.” This behavior is hardly unique to the public sector. It just doesn’t make it into the papers when it’s private industry.