NEWS

Cops: Dad hit coach who cut daughter from team

Nancy Haggerty
nhaggerty@lohud.com
Police Beat

MAHOPAC – A Mahopac father has been arrested after he allegedly punched and spat on a coach who cut his daughter from the girls varsity lacrosse team.

Alfonso DiFusco, 46, was charged Tuesday with second-degree harassment and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He pleaded not guilty to the charges at an arraignment before Justice Joseph J. Spofford Jr. in Carmel Town Court.

The coach, Jim Lieto, alleges that DiFusco attacked him outside Mahopac High School on March 13 after Lieto trimmed his team's roster during spring tryouts.

District Superintendent Brian Monahan confirmed the incident occurred about 8 p.m. in front of the school. The area has surveillance cameras and Monahan said footage was given to Carmel police.

Lieto, who has coached lacrosse at the school for more than a decade, was not badly harmed, said John Augusta, the Mahopac athletic director, who was at the high school that night as the administrator on duty for a school concert but did not witness the incident.

DiFusco allegedly stopped Lieto's vehicle and yelled at the coach before reaching inside and punching, then spitting on him. He also reportedly tried to take Lieto's cellphone before a student pulled him away.

"My impression is it was not a discussion of any length," Monahan said of what was said before the reported attack.

Carmel Police Chief Michael Cazzari said Friday that the Putnam County District Attorney's Office could decide to bring additional charges against DiFusco, who is scheduled to return to Carmel Town Court on April 21. At Tuesday's arraignment, Spofford issued an order of protection requiring DiFusco to stay away from Lieto.

Fourth-degree criminal mischief is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Second-degree harassment is a violation, punishable by up to 15 days in jail.

Cazzari said the criminal mischief charge stemmed from DiFusco reportedly trying to take Lieto's phone. No assault charge was levied, Cazzari said, because Lieto was not injured.

Still, Cazzari said the allegations were "scary."

Lieto and his attorney could not be reached for comment.

Monahan has barred DiFusco from all school property.

The school has not identified DiFusco's daughter but confirmed she is a junior.

Augusta said it was rare that a junior would be allowed to play junior varsity, meaning in all likelihood the coach's decision means the girl will have to sit out the current lacrosse season but could try out next year.

"(Being cut from a team) is an unfortunate piece of varsity athletics," Monahan said. "There's a level of disappointment. It's part of the process of growing up."

Of DiFusco's daughter, Monahan said, "You hope the child can kind of enjoy the rest of her school year. This is obviously difficult."

"She didn't do anything," he added.

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy