ROCKLAND POLITICAL CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT INDICTED FOR FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Michael Bookman, a 40- year-old male from Bardonia, NY has been indicted for Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, and issuing a bad check.

Over a period spanning four months, Bookman is accused of stealing over $7,000 from a political campaign committee while acting as campaign manager. More than four months after the bank closed the campaign account due to insufficient funds, Bookman wrote a check to the candidate for a loan repayment purporting to represent the balance in the campaign account.

Rockland County District Attorney Walsh said, “Ensuring transparent and lawful campaign management is paramount to preserving the integrity of our democratic process. Our office is committed to holding individuals accountable when they exploit their positions for unlawful gain.”

The defendant was arraigned today by the Honorable Rolf Thorsen in Rockland County Court and was released on his own recognizance. The investigation was conducted by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Carrie Ciganek.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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