What’s next for Cayuga County Clerk-elect after leaving scene of accident?

Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck provided clarifications regarding the delayed ticketing of clerk-elect Brian Scanlan, following a hit-and-run accident on November 11.

Scanlan, who was recently elected as Cayuga County clerk, crashed into a parked car in Owasco and left the scene.

Two questions have loomed since being ticketed: First, would he be able to take office? Second, why wasn’t he ticketed until days after the accident?

While deputies investigated the scene around 8:30 p.m. when the crash happened on Fairway Drive, no driver was located. Witnesses at the scene said they saw a red truck, and that the truck was seen passing by the area after the initial accident.

Sheriff Schenck tells The Citizen that the day after the wreck – an attorney representing Scanlan contacted them. Since the clerk-elect had retained an attorney, Sheriff Schenck added, they couldn’t interview him directly.

The vehicle that was struck by Scanlan was a total loss. The clerk-elect was ticketed for leaving the scene of an accident, which carries a fine of up to $250.

He’s due in court on November 28 at 6 p.m.

The incident, being ticketed for leaving the scene of an accident, is not a disqualifying offense. Under most circumstances, a felony conviction is required to be removed from office.

Staff Report

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