Sleepy Hollow lieutenant under investigation for allegedly groping colleague's wife
Lt. Stephen Dougherty is under investigation for allegedly groping a colleague's wife at a party in 2017.
More Stories
An allegation of inappropriate behavior by an officer is shaking up the Village of Sleepy Hollow.
Lt. Stephen Dougherty is under investigation for allegedly groping a colleague's wife at a party in 2017.
Joan Morrison filed her complaint against Dougherty in May 2023, and was interviewed by village lawyers in June.
She wouldn't speak on camera but went before the village board of trustees at a meeting on Sept. 26.
"I came down here today to publicly say to you that I hope you all will do the right thing," she told the board during public comment.
We filed an open records request in August for Lt. Dougherty's disciplinary records and received documents showing this complaint is not the first alleged case of misconduct.
A letter of reprimand states that on June 8, 2021, Lt. Dougherty was disciplined for "misconduct and a serious lapse in judgement."
The letter states that on April 8, 2021, while executing duties as a member of the Greenburgh Police Department Task Force at a fire department promotion ceremony, Dougherty drove to a fellow task force members home in a department vehicle after consuming two beers.
He allegedly allowed his colleague to bring a bottle of vodka into his vehicle.
In May 2021, News 12 reported that during this same incident, Dougherty was allegedly caught by an on-duty department officer having sexual intercourse in a department vehicle with a female officer.
This alleged detail is not mentioned in the latter.
Sleepy Hollow Police Chief Anthony Bueti brought a disciplinary charge against Dougherty on May 25, 2021.
He was suspended without pay, and initially denied the charge but later admitted to the conduct according to documents.
He was suspended without pay through June 8th and forfeited 10 vacation days.
Morrison said she had the courage to come forward with her complaint after learning about the April 2021 incident and wants her claim to be taken seriously.
News 12 contacted Chief Bueti who said in an email "to preserve the integrity of an active investigation, I can't comment.
Sleepy Hollow Village Administrator Anthony Giaccio said in an email "Under advice of counsel, I cannot comment."
News 12 attempted to contact Lt. Dougherty, but did not hear back.
