District attorney: No evidence found for allegation of stalking

The Schenectady County district attorney announced last week that he had found no evidence to support a man's claim that a priest of the Albany Diocese had stalked him.

The claim was made in May 2003. The man charged that Rev. Alan Jupin had stalked him in an attempt to stop him from filing a sexual abuse complaint with the Albany Diocese. The priest is on voluntary leave from his assignment as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima parish in Schenectady.

The alleged victim said that the abuse occurred about 30 years ago, putting that matter beyond the statute of limitations. But he claimed the stalking had occurred recently. As a result, the Diocese followed its abuse policy and referred the matter to Robert Carney, the DA, for investigation.

Mr. Carney announced that "there is no evidence of stalking, period." On the contrary, he added, "the evidence that exists shows there was no crime committed."

In addition to announcing his decision on the allegation, Mr. Carney criticized the alleged victim's attorney, John Aretakis. Mr. Carney accused the lawyer of trying to "bully" or "intimidate" the DA's office, and to "manipulate" the investigatory process through the media.

The Diocese is continuing its investigation of the abuse allegations.

(1/15/04)