Patricia R. Doxsey reports for the Daily Freeman that last month the town of Saugerties settled a defamation lawsuit brought against Police Chief Joseph Sinagra for statements attributed to him in a 2021 Daily Freeman article. Michael Cook, who represented the town and Sinagra in the lawsuit, said though they settled with Saugerties resident Debra L. Ferraro, there was “no admission of guilt.” If the town approves the settlement that is for an unknown amount, taxpayers will pay for it through the town's insurance carrier. Ferraro claimed that Sinagra defamed her in remarks in an April 29, 2021 Daily Freeman article about the arrest of Ferraro and Derek S. Winnie in connection with allegedly fraudulent business practices. The charges against Ferraro were later dismissed. Sinagra claimed that he did not make the statements attributed to him in the newspaper. But Freeman Publisher Kevin Corrado said they stand by their reporting. The Town of Saugerties has since placed Sinagra on paid administrative leave because of a different matter. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.