It was a dark afternoon in Dunkirk on Tuesday. News of former 10-year city Mayor Richard Frey’s alleged crimes sent shock waves through City Hall as well as the region.

In a 13-count indictment, Frey was charged with 12 counts of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to the FBI as part of what the U.S. attorney’s office considered a scheme to defraud his mayoral campaign and his supporters. About $14,000 is believed to have been taken by Frey for personal use.

Tragic.

Frey, who could be cantankerous at times with even some of his greatest supporters, was also his own worst enemy. It helped in getting things done in a city that seems to stand still. It also rubbed many the wrong way.

So despite his successes – and there were many, including the Boardwalk, the Crocker Sprague building, restoring pride to the city and the Music on the Pier, these indictments are a stain on those achievements.

It’s human nature to be compelled by the negative. This story, still less than 48 hours old, is quite compelling across our state.