Mastroianni petit larceny case moved outside village of Scotia

SCOTIA, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The petit larceny case against former assembly candidate Joseph Mastroianni will be moved and assigned to another court, his attorney Brian Mercy confirmed Wednesday. Mastroianni was charged with petit larceny after allegedly stealing his opponent's political mailer from a home in October.

Both village justices have recused themselves from the case, Mercy said. It is also unknown what court and when it will be assigned, he added.

Mastroianni turned himself in earlier this month and was issued an appearance ticket for one count of petit larceny. Days before he told NEWS10 he was cooperating in the investigation and with authorities.

The claims surfaced after Ring camera video appeared to show Mastroianni removing a campaign mailer for his opponent Angelo Santabarbara and replacing it with his own. Santabarbara was declared the winner in the 111th assembly district by earning more than 60 percent of the vote.

Mastroianni is a member of the Rotterdam Town Board. He held a press event hours after the footage was released, where he said the incident was a deflection of real issues in the community.

In New York, Petit Larceny is a class A misdemeanor. He could face up to one year in jail and be ordered to pay a fine if convicted.