VESTAL, NY (WSKG) - New York State Senator Fred Akshar (R - Endwell) had intimate relations with a mother of a crime victim. According to the Gannett papers, Akshar had helped investigate the murder of her son.
Gannett reports the sexual encounter occurred in 2015 at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona when Akshar was a captain in the Broome County Sheriff’s office.
It happened as the murder case involving the women’s son continued to move through the court system and about a year after Akshar testified in court on behalf of police.
The woman claims Akshar took advantage of her grief in the months leading up to the encounter. Aksar was at the casino attending a police training conference, and she often plays bingo there.
Akshar acknowledged having the relationship. He told the paper it was "brief" and "consensual". He denied breaking any laws or sheriff’s office policy.
The Republican represents New York's 52nd Senate District. That includes Broome, Tioga and parts of Chenango and Delaware Counties.