Rochester, N.Y. -- Psychologist Jay Supnick says he was hired to perform an evaluation of Officer Gary Pignato. He says then-Greece Police Chief Merritt Rahn ordered him to change Pignato's psychological rating from a "D" to an acceptable "C".
According to court papers, Rahn told Supnick, "It doesn't matter what you put in your report. We're going to hire him anyway." But Supnick said he was told Greece Town Supervisor John Auberger was behind the hiring.
“I welcome Dr. Supnick on the stand,” said defense attorney John Parrinello. “I think that would be intriguing and professionally embarrassing."
New Allegations, 12 Counts, 9 Felonies
As the former chief goes on trial for misconduct, there are new allegations he cheated taxpayers out of money. Merritt Rahn is charged with 12 counts including nine felonies. The new allegations came out of an internal probe of the entire department.
“They have to do with Merritt Rahn falsifying business and financial documents that were submitted to the town and to other government entities,” said Assistant District Attorney Sandra Doorley.
Prosecutors allege Rahn attended a conference and received reimbursement for meals after the meals were already paid for by conference organizers. At another conference just last year, he was reimbursed over $600 for driving his personal car to Indianapolis. It turns out he used his police cruiser to make the trip.
The judge ruled those last two allegations can be used as evidence only in very specific circumstances, for example, if Merritt Rahn takes the stand.
Prosecutors also asked that John Parrinello be removed from this case because he once represented Gary Pignato. Judge Francis Affronti denied that request. He also ruled that if the Greece Town Supervisor is called to the stand, he will not be allowed to testify about an alleged meeting he had with Parrinello about Gary Pignato’s hiring.
Jury selection has begun in the case.
Prosecutors may call as many as 40 witnesses. The trial is expected to last three weeks, with opening arguments scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
