Crime & Safety

Cops: Paul Fiondella Gets Mad Over Parking From Bostwick's

The following information was supplied by the East Hampton Town Police Department. A criminal charge is only an accusation and does not indicate guilt.

, who recently ran for the East Hampton School Board, was arrested on a criminal mischief charge stemming from an incident having to do with a restaurant near his home.

In an arrest report issued on Friday, said Fiondella, 64, broke the driver's side mirror on vehicle belonging to a patron of Bostwick's on July 31.

The complainant told police she had dropped her elderly parents off at the entrance to , which is on the corner of Montauk Highway and Maple Lane, and then went to find a parking spot. When she found none in the parking lot, she drove onto Maple Lane, where she saw a sign that said 'No Parking.'

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When she went to make a U-Turn, Fiondella and his wife, who were standing in their driveway on Maple Lane, started "screaming" at her. Fiondella allegedly came to her window screaming about parking and driving on Maple Lane.

"She then stated that the defendant in anger swung a bag at her vehicle striking [sic] the driver's side mirror causing it to break," police said.

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The police officer who was called to the scene tried to handle the situation civilly, but the defendant reportedly refused. "Multiple attempts were made to have the defendant leave his house and resolve the situation," police said.

The following day, the complaintant told police a mechanic estimated the damages totaled $220.

Police contacted Fiondella, who agreed to turn himself in. He was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor. He was released on his own recognizance and will be arraigned in East Hampton Town Justice Court on Thursday.

Fiondella ran for a seat on the school board in May, but came in fourth for two seats.

A message was left Fiondella at home. He could not be immediately reached for comment.

A correction was made: Paul Fiondella came in fourth in the May 2011 school elections, not third.


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