New York Attorney General Letitia James says a court ruling reinstating a criminal case against former Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove is a big win that will ensure that justice is served and that no person, including elected officials, is above the law.
The Appellate Division of State Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that said the attorney general did not have jurisdiction in the case.
“The grand jury found that former District Attorney Abelove abused his power and lied under oath in an attempt to sway a grand jury and impede our investigation – actions that are patently unlawful and unethical. We look forward to continuing this case and ensuring that justice is truly served," James said in a press release Thursday.
The former district attorney is charged with perjury for allegedly lying to a grand jury that was investigating the death of Edson Thevenin, an unarmed man who was shot by a Troy police officer during a traffic stop in April 2016.
