New York City Man Admits Making Harassing Call to Paladino Campaign Headquarters

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Miles J. Fisher, 63, of New York City, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to making a harassing and threatening telephone call. The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Moscati, who handled the case, stated that the government’s evidence revealed the defendant placed a call to the “Paladino for the People” campaign headquarters in the Ellicott Square Building on April 13, 2010. According to the person who answered the telephone, Fisher made harassing and threatening statements, including a declaration that the defendant was going to “bomb all of you.” The campaign worker reported the threat to 911, and the Buffalo Police and Fire Departments thereafter ordered that building’s 700 occupants be evacuated.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, to include special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard W. Kollmar and the Buffalo Police Department under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug 25, 2011., at 9:30 a.m. EST, in Buffalo, N.Y., before Judge Skretny.