Amanda Purcell is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Hudson Common Council President Thomas DePietro was charged with harassment August 6, following an altercation with attorney, and former 3rd Ward Alderman, John Friedman, in April. DePietro, 63, of Hudson, was formally charged in Hudson City Court with second-degree harassment, a violation. Friedman alleged DePietro “pushed him against the wall in a threatening manner,” according to court documents. DePietro deferred all questions to his attorney, Michael Howard. Howard could not be reached for comment. Friedman likewise declined comment. The maximum punishment for second-degree harassment is 15 days in jail. The charge is based on a dispute that occurred during an April 24 meeting of the Common Council held on the second floor of the Hudson Area Library. On the day following the meeting, Friedman was quoted as saying about the incident, “All I have to say at this point is that as I was leaving the meeting last night, during the recess, Tom physically attacked me and had to be restrained by his fellow council members.” Friedman denied that he threatened or provoked DePietro. In response, DePietro said, “The less said about this unfortunate incident, the better for everyone. Mr. Friedman has a long, well-documented history of rude and abusive behavior. I do not.” NOTE: DePietro is an active WGXC volunteer programmer. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.