Schoharie County Family Court cover-up,conspiracy,commissioner had knowledge Schoharie, New York

Wednesday, January 14, 2004

Schoharie sex-abuse investigation 'ongoing'

Social Services investigator could get plea bargain, district attorney says
By Amy L. Ashbridge
Staff Writer
The future is unclear for a Schoharie County Department of Social Services fraud investigator, the department commissioner and county district attorney said Tuesday.
Patrick D. Cascanet, 51, turned himself in to state police at Cobleskill on Monday. He was subsequently charged with two counts of sexual abuse, one count of attempted sodomy and one count of forcible touching.
"We've always been cooperating with law enforcement during the investigation," said Paul Brady, commissioner of social services in Schoharie County.
Cascanet was suspended from his job Oct. 31, pending an investigation.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]"We'll make a decision on how (the allegations) affect his employment as the investigation unfolds," Brady said.
Brady would not comment on the case's specific details because the investigation is continuing, he said.
Cascanet allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual activities with three boys over a two-year period, troopers said. 
According to District Attorney James Sacket, the boys were between 11 and 14 years old.
"It's been an ongoing investigation that filtered through confidential sources in a confidential setting that people were mandated to disclose," Sacket said.
"It came to police attention that there may be some issues with sexual abuse and young people," he said.
Cascanet will have a felony hearing, Sacket said, and a plea bargain is a possibility.
"These are serious charges, because of his post at DSS as a private investigator," he said. "It's a serious case and will be dealt with on a felony level."
The district attorney's office hasn't met with Cascanet's lawyer yet, Sacket said.
A plea could be easier on the alleged victims, the district attorney said.
"It can be very traumatic for them to relive the events," Sacket said.
If an agreement is not reached, the case will go to trial, he said.
"The people are willing to go to trial if necessary," Sacket said.
According to the district attorney, any deal will require Cascanet to plead guilty to a sexual offense as a sexual offender.
"All sexual offenders of that nature have to register. That would be a condition," Sacket said.

Amy Ashbridge can be reached at aashbridge@thedailystar.com or (607) 432-1000, ext. 213 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 213.