Legal Question in Criminal Law in New York

My son is a corrections officer in NY and does logging as second job. He had a job where the landowner told him were the property lines were and what trees to cut. After he started the job and had one load of logs delivered to the lumber yard, a neighbor complained he was cutting on her property. He stopped working until it was resolved. The landowner now denies that he told my son to cut those trees and also says he didn't receive any money for them. Now they are threatening to charge him with petit larceny unless he pays 15k (triple damages). He is worried he will lose his job if he is charged. He doesn't have 15k, and is a new father, can't afford to lose his job. What should he do? Should he counter sue the landowner now or wait until after he pays so he doesn't lose his job? Thanks in advance any help would greatly be appreciated.

Asked on 9/13/11, 1:04 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Stuart Austin Austin Law Associates, PC

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You state that he is worried about losing his job if "charged" not if convicted. If this is the case then the matter must be dealt with quicly and expeditiously before formal charges are filed. You should consult a lawyer immediately if this is indeed the case.

Answered on 9/13/11, 1:50 pm

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peter bark bark & karpf

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This sounds like blackmail to me. He should consult his union lawyer immediately and perhaps bring extortion charges against the landowner if the lawyer recommends.

Peter Bark- [email protected]

Answered on 9/13/11, 5:43 pm

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