Binghamton police officer found guilty in traffic case

A Binghamton police officer who has claimed unfair treatment by the police chief after an off-duty traffic accident was found guilty Tuesday on a charge stemming from the incident.

Officer Kristi Sager filed a sexual discrimination complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights in March against Police Chief Joseph Zikuski. The complaint accuses Zikuski of making sexual advances toward her and others and claims unfair disciplinary proceedings were brought against her at Zikuski's request following the February accident.

On Tuesday, Sager was found guilty in city traffic court on a charge of leaving the scene of a property damage incident.

The charge came after Sager hit a parked car on Feb. 4 while driving on Eldredge Street in the City of Binghamton. Sager, who was off-duty at the time, was suspended with pay from the police department as a result.

Sager's attorney last week argued that she met all of the statutory requirements following the accident, and that the traffic charge, which came six days later, stemmed from the officer's refusal of the police chief's advances.

In the wake of Sager's formal complaint, Zikuski was placed on paid administrative leave in March, and a disciplinary hearing for Sager was postponed by the city indefinitely while the state investigation into her complaint is ongoing.

Judge William C. Pelella told attorneys at Sager's trial last week that he was there to decide whether Sager unlawfully left the scene of an accident, and not to try a sexual harassment claim.

In his decision on Tuesday, Pelella said Sager failed to provide her full name, address and insurance information before leaving the scene of the February accident.

The undisputed facts at the trial established that Sager had a 20- to 30-minute conversation with the owner of the car that she hit, but the car's owner obtained only Sager's license plate number before she left the scene, Pelella said.

Sager has until June 1 to pay a $50 fine and an $88 New York State surcharge. Her attorney, Ronald Benjamin, said on Wednesday they plan to appeal the decision.

Follow Megan Brockett on Twitter @PSBMegan.