Lysander (WSYR-TV) -- Controversy is brewing in Lysander after the former town supervisor allegedly spilled his coffee on a political rival’s recording equipment, causing hundreds of dollars in damage.
Accompanied by his lawyer, former town supervisor Barry Bullis was in court Tuesday to face charges of criminal mischief in connection with the incident. When asked about the incident Bullis had no comment.
Bullis pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
The incident happened in November, two days after Bullis lost re-election. A regular board meeting had just ended, but resident Fred Burtch’s camera was still rolling. It captures what appears to be Bullis intentionally spilling coffee on a wireless microphone and mini-camera belonging to Burtch.
"I guess he entered a plea of not guilty, which is, you know, kind of funny, but we'll let the judge decipher that all out," Burtch said. "300 people or so I've showed directly on the laptop and I think all but one, a look of disgust and just upset that a town official would go so far as to do something like that."
Burtch had been at odds with the former town board for some time and even he ran unsuccessfully in a Republican primary against Bullis last year.
Last week, Burtch told NewsChannel 9 the spill was no accident and that Bullis was egged on by the town clerk Lisa Dell. Dell denies any involvement in Bullis’ actions and is not charged with anything.
Bullis was released on his own recognizance and was ordered back to court on March 6.
Burtch says he plans to pursue a civil lawsuit against Bullis and Dell.
