By Kenneth C. Crowe II
Times Union
ALBANY, NY — A man has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit over the alleged access to his personal and criminal history by a Rensselaer County Jail employee attempting to break up a romantic relationship.
Peter Colantonio, now a Florida resident, claims that Sgt. Anthony Patricelli sought the information through the jail’s computer system. The goal was to end Colantoni’s relationship with his then-girlfriend, Kimberley Gorman, with whom Patricelli had a long-term relationship, according to the legal papers.
The lawsuit was filed Jan. 30 in U.S. District Court in Albany.
Patricelli pleaded guilty Dec. 23 in Troy City Court to misdemeanor unauthorized use of a computer for accessing the records.
He originally was charged with felony computer trespass and falsifying government records and a misdemeanor count of official misconduct.
Patricelli, who has returned to work at the jail, faces a misdemeanor count of aggravated harassment in Schaghticoke Town Court for allegedly threatening in a telephone call to break the jaw of a jail officer, John Gorman. He is the brother of Patricelli’s ex-girlfriend.
The lawsuit names Patricelli, Rensselaer County, Sheriff Jack Mahar and correction officer Wendy Vega. Patricelli allegedly directed Vega to access the criminal records, according to the lawsuit.