Cops: Greg Fischer arrested for criminal contempt, harassment
A Calverton man who previously ran for Riverhead Town Supervisor and a seat on the Riverhead school board has been charged with criminal contempt and harassment in connection with a domestic incident last week, Riverhead Town police said.
Greg Fischer, 58, was arrested Monday on charges stemming from a reported domestic incident on Thursday, according to a police news release. Additional information about the incident was not immediately available.
Mr. Fischer was arraigned on the charges in Riverhead Town Court and released on his own recognizance, police said.
He agreed to an interview Monday night with the News-Review and said the incident was a family dispute.
Mr. Fischer claims he was arrested after police refused to listen to audio recordings he offered them related to the incident, which he described as “a family court matter.” He also said he wasn’t given an opportunity to contact his attorneys.
“I have nothing to hide,” he said. “I didn’t do anything wrong.
“It’s horrible for the children. It’s horrible for me.”
Mr. Fischer, who has had custody issues with the mother of two of his children, reported them missing to Riverhead Town Police in 2007 when their mother took them to Wyoming.
In a September 2014 interview with the News-Review, Mr. Fischer accused town officials and the police department of conspiracy, saying the department refused to take his missing person reports related to his children while he was running for a seat on the Town Council. The police chief and town supervisor denied the allegations at the time.
Mr. Fischer said Monday he plead not guilty at his arraignment before Judge Allen Smith, adding he’s grateful for the judge’s compassion.
“He wanted me to get home and didn’t want me to go to jail,” Mr. Fischer said. “He showed great kindness, respect and caring.”
Mr. Fischer had previously been arrested on a harassment charge in October 2011 — during the height of his unsuccessful campaign for Town Supervisor — after allegedly confronting the head of Parents for Megan’s Law, a nonprofit advocacy group, at a public meeting.
Mr. Fischer has run for office multiple times during a nearly decade-long political career, winning only a Democratic committee seat election in 2012 with 10 votes. His most recent run for office was this fall for State Comptroller. His campaign ended after his Rent is Too Damn High party was thrown off the ballot.
Editor’s note: The story was updated Monday at 11 p.m. to include Mr. Fischer’s comment.
