From whatever perspective, it was sad, sorry tableau on Feb. 7, in front of the Duchess County Courthouse.
Former Poughkeepsie City School District Superintendent Robert Watson, flanked by his attorney Michael Sussman, was led into the building for his arraignment before Judge Thomas Dolan on seven counts, including second-degree grand larceny, third-degree grand larceny and five other counts.
The unsealing of the indictment, is the product of an investigation of nearly two years of work. No one else besides Watson is charged in the indictment. The charges against Watson assert that he stole more than $53,000 in cash and property from the school district. Those charges alone could result in a prison stay of up to 22 years.
Repeated attempts to contact Watson and Sussman via cell phone were unsuccessful. Current district Superintendent Dr. Laval S. Wilson said the close of the investigation was a relief for the central administration class.
“The members of Board of Education and I had been awaiting the decision of the grand jury and we’re pleased that this case is coming to a close. A number of staff members and I were requested to testify before the grand jury, so we’ve been awaiting a decision and we’re glad this is coming to an end,” he said.
Many in the community have wondered why the investigation took so long to complete. District Attorney William Grady said the grand jury was investigating the Watson case and the Partners-in-Crime gang investigation simultaneously. Also, the grand jury wanted to wait for the State Comptroller’s Office to complete its audit of the district, review the audit and have the auditors testify before the grand jury. The audit, which was released in August 2007, said Watson had made $1.2 million in questionable expenditures.
Finally there was the breadth of the investigation.
“The investigation alone contains 2,000 pages of testimony,” said Grady.
Grady commended the work of Assistant Attorney General Ed Whitesell, the lead prosecutor and investigator, who handled two murder cases while the investigation was ongoing, as well as investigator Gary Leigh, who assisted in the case.
Grady said it was difficult to predict the pace of the Watson trial. County Court Judge Thomas Dolan, who will hear the case, is also currently hearing the high-profile Morey family murder trials.
In addition to the charges of larceny, Watson was charged with first-degree offering of a false instrument, a felony charge. The charge is related to the hiring of Theodore Arrington as dean of students at the Circle of Courage Learning Community. Grady asserted that Arrington, a friend of Watson’s was unqualified for the position.
What is known is that Watson’s next court appearance will be Feb. 21, when the defense can submit motions. Grady said that the Bill of Particulars, which “in detail underlines the substantive conduct” behind the charges will be released within the next 10-15 days. In addition, a grand jury report will be released concerning the investigation.
Watson was ordered to surrender his passport and fitted for an electronic monitoring device, which he will wear under the supervision of the Dutchess County Department of Probation. He will be required to remain in Dutchess County.
Timeline
2005
November: Superintendent Robert Watson resigns and the Board of Education approves a controversial separation agreement, which pays Watson his salary and benefits through June 2007.
2006
February: District Attorney investigators seize materials shredded by Watson’s personal secretary, in addition to a computer from the district office
• The school district is placed at the top of list of districts facing financial audits.
April: Grady announces preliminary inquiry of district.
May: Outside audit finds Watson was incorrectly paid $53,000 for travel expenses and personal days during his tenure.
June: Watson emerges from a self-imposed silence in an interview in the Beat.
November: Grady announces grand jury investigation.
2007
April: Watson files to run for election to the board of education.
May: Watson runs for City of Poughkeepsie Board of Education but is defeated.
• Watson announces that he’s filed a notice of claim against the school district, a possible precursor to a lawsuit.
August: An audit by the State Comptroller’s office is released, citing financial improprieties and blaming Watson and poor supervision by the board of education.
2008
February: Watson indicted by grand jury on seven counts, including grand larceny