Search Called Off For Ex-Sparta Mayor Missing In Vermont: PD

SPARTA, NJ — The search has been called off for a former Sparta mayor who went missing in Vermont the day before he was set to be re-sentenced in a corruption trial.

Brian Brady, 57, formerly of Sparta and now of Ringwood, was reported missing on the afternoon of May 30, Vermont State Police said. Police conducted a wellness check at a resort condo owned by Brady at the request of his family, only to find that Brady was missing.

The investigation showed that Brady rented a car in New Jersey on May 22 and drove up to Vermont; the car was found on May 31 about a quarter of a mile from Champlain Bridge, near Lake Champlain.

A water search was conducted on Thursday, and was suspended on Saturday night. Although the search of the lake has been suspended, officials will continue to investigate his disappearance, police said.

Brady was set to be re-sentenced in a prior criminal case when he disappeared, the New Jersey Herald reported. He was convicted in 2014 of official misconduct and computer theft. He faced up to 20 years in jail, but was sentenced to just one year of probation.

• Read More: Former Sparta Mayor Convicted of Official Misconduct, Computer Theft

The state appealed, and after several years of litigation, the re-sentencing was set to begin on May 31. That has since been pushed back to June 21.

Brady served as a councilman in Sparta from June 2006 to June 2010, including a year spend as mayor between 2008 and 2009. He was barred from public employment and lost his pension when he was found guilty on the misconduct charged.

Anyone with information on Brady's whereabouts is asked to call Vermont State Police at the Williston Barracks at 802-878-7111.