September 1, 2005

DILLON ANNOUNCES

ARREST OF NORTHPORT MAN ACCUSED OF FORGING DOCUMENT IN ORDER TO HAVE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS DISMISSED

Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon announced today that the DA’s Special Investigations Bureau has arrested Michael Orell Downey, 38, of 76 Annetta Avenue, Northport, for forging a letter in order to have his traffic tickets dismissed.

According to Dillon,"In early July of 2005, the Laurel Hollow Village Clerks office received a call from Michael Downey stating that he was just made aware that his New York State Drivers License was suspended. The suspension was based on three 1986 summonses issued to him by a Laurel Hollow Police Officer. The three summonses were issued for unlicensed operator, no insurance and expired registration. At the time of his call to the Village Clerks Office, Downey was made aware that in order to clear these summonses he would need to schedule a hearing. Downey then requested that the Clerk’s office fax and mail him a letter with the information about the outstanding summonses. The clerks office then in fact faxed and mailed Downey the requested letter on Court stationary that clearly stated that the summonses were open."

"Downey used the letter sent to him on Court stationary to create a fraudulent fax stating that the court had dismissed the summonses," Dillon continued. "Downey then faxed this letter to two individuals at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYS DMV) in Albany. At this point the NYS DMV contacted the Laurel Hollow Village court to verify the validity of this letter. It was at that point that the forgery was discovered."

Downey has been charged with Forgery in the Second Degree and Tampering with Public Records in the First Degree, both Class D Felonies, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E Felony. If convicted, Downey faces up to seven years in prison. Downey will be arraigned later today in First District Court in Hempstead.

The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.