Case Proceeds in NY Firefighter's Lewd Act
By Jolene Cleaver
Source Observer-Dispatch, Utica, N.Y.
Aug. 16 -- The case of a Utica City Court in the matter of Richard Forte - a firefighter accused of harassing a female co-worker in January - appeared briefly in Utica City Court Thursday as the case progresses to trial.
According to court records, Forte will appear on Sept. 21 for two of his original three charges - fourth-degree criminal mischief and third-degree criminal tampering.
The remaining charge of offering a false written statement was dismissed Thursday.
The case stems from a Jan. 6 complaint by a female Utica City firefighter who reportedly found ejaculate on an extra pair of her pants after returning from a call with the department. The pants were kept in a private room of the station house that she uses when working a 24-hour shift.
The substance found on them tested positive for semen and Forte was later court-ordered to submit a DNA sample for analysis and comparison.
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