Former treasurer’s case still in pre-trial phase
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The fraud case against former Dunkirk Treasurer Mark Woods is still in its pre-trial phase.
Woods was charged in January with 14 felony counts, in an indictment announced jointly by the Chautauqua County District Attorney and the Office of the New York State Comptroller.
Woods pleaded not guilty to all charges in a Jan. 23 court appearance. He was charged with second-degree grand larceny, first-degree corruption of government, and 12 counts of filing a false instrument with intent to defraud. Woods was released from custody on his own recognizance.
Since then, there have been at least four conferences regarding the case between attorneys and State Supreme Court Justice Grace Hanlon. Another conference is set for Nov. 23. Woods is represented by Justin Ginter, a Buffalo attorney.
The Nov. 23 appearance is an "omnibus conference," according to Madeline Contiguglia, executive assistant to District Attorney Jason Schmidt. That is basically a hearing over a defense motion to combine multiple requests and arguments into one document.
"The court will review the defense’s omnibus motion and our response to it and determine if any hearings will need to be scheduled," Contiguglia said.
She added, "This appearance will determine if any pre-trial hearings are needed. If no pre-trial hearings are requested by the defense, it may be scheduled for trial."