No jail for 'mensch' Troodler, but Ramapo still sentenced to cloud of corruption: Editorial

During Aaron Troodler's sentencing on federal fraud and corruption charges, a federal judge called him a "mensch." But Troodler is also a former public official who stood by, for years, as his boss, Christopher St. Lawrence, hoodwinked potential investors in the Town of Ramapo and misled its citizens. Troodler only wised up in the face of his own federal trail, admitting guilt and testifying against his former boss.

On Jan. 2, the former assistant town attorney and executive director of the Ramapo Local Development Corporation was sentenced to zero time in prison and a $20,000 fine. He had admitted to securities fraud and other federal charges.

Judge Cathy Seibel had received 74 letters that spoke well of Troodler. "Mr. Troodler is a mensch who is eager to please and wants to help others," Seibel said. "Unfortunately, that included Mr. St. Lawrence." Even one longtime critic of St. Lawrence wrote in support of Troodler and said after the sentencing he was satisfied with the outcome.

It's a complex message for future municipal whistleblowers who may see something but hesitate to say something because they could lose their job, hurt a friend, become embroiled in a litigious mess. 

SENTENCED: Troodler gets probation, $20K fine in Ramapo corruption case

EDITORIAL: St. Lawrence done in by vanity

Troodler, however, has paid a heavy price: He lost his license to practice law, as a convicted felon. He spoke of his embarrassment and the damage he caused his family. He also holds the dubious record as the first person convicted of federal securities fraud in connection to municipal bonds. Thanks in part to his testimony, though, he soon had company: St. Lawrence was convicted on May 19 of 20 counts of securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy. In December, he was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in federal prison and fined $75,000. 

Troodler's testimony was valuable to the prosecution of St. Lawrence. Imagine, though, if Troodler had acted before the FBI raided Town Hall in 2013, before the feds charged him. What if he had refused to ignore St. Lawrence's Three Card Monte-esque fiscal games, the faked revenue and the fudged financial information employed to polish town and RLDC fiscal records? 

A mensch is a person of integrity and character. Whether or not Troodler qualifies in his private life, we should not mistake him for a responsible public servant, let alone a crusader of justice. In many ways, Troodler both suffered from and was rewarded for being a wet noodle.