Mt Kisco Father, Son Face Campaign Petition Forgery Charges

MOUNT KISCO, NY — William and Carmelo Serratore are accused of forging signatures on primary election petitions in Mount Kisco.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced the indictment Wednesday afternoon. An investigation had been conducted by the Rockland DA’s Office acting in a Special Prosecutorial capacity into forged primary election petitions in Mount Kisco.

William Serratore, the Mount Kisco Democratic Committee chairman, is accused of forging and attesting to forged signatures on three petitions for Tom Luzio’s mayoral candidacy between March 6 and April 7, and filing them with the Westchester County Board of Elections.

His son Carmelo is accused of forging and attesting to forged signatures on one petition for the Mount Kisco mayoral candidate which was filed with the Westchester County Board of Elections.

Two people sought the party's nod in the election for mayor in November: Lisa C. Abzun and Tom Luzio. Abzun won the primary in June.

William Serratore, 59, is charged with fifteen felony counts, including Forgery in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree.

Carmelo Serratore, 24, was charged with four felony counts including Forgery in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree.

Both were arraigned Wednesday before the Honorable Robert A. Neary.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the DA's office noted.