Nazareth Mayor Carl Strye Trial Scheduled For October

Nazareth Mayor Carl Strye is an admitted thief. He admitted to an Investigating Grand Jury that he skimmed $8,000 from gambling operations at the Vigilance Hose, where he at one time handled the dough. He faces felony theft charges for pocketing money from a worthy nonprofit and falsifying its records. His refusal to accept responsibility or show even a morsel of remorse may have prevented him fromeven applying for ARD. That's a special program for first offenders in which charges are wiped clean after successful completion of a period of probation.

After being charged, he claimed he would keep his authority over the police department, like a fox is in the hen house. He told The Express Times that he could still run the police department, making a "left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing" bullshit argument. He also complained that he wanted this kept "in house," out of the public eye. There was no apology for letting the community down. No shame. And he is still Mayor.

For now.

The docket in this matter tells me his day in court has been set for either October 3 or December 5. It's hard to tell because he has filed so many continuances.

When that day comes, it won't be before a friendly borough council or an audience that he handpicked to applaud him.

Even as the steward of a social club, he violated the public trust. My suspicion is that he will soon be eating prison food.

In the meantime, it appears he may not have even applied for ARD.

Blogger's Update, 11:10 am: This is updated from an earlier version, in which I incorrectly surmised that Strye had already been denied participation in ARD. I have since been informed that he has yet to apply. The Express Times now is reporting that Strye has yet to apply for ARD.