BROOKLYN — A defiant community board manager accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend turned down a prosecutor's plea deal last week and will head to court if it comes to that, his lawyer said.
Community Board 6’s long-serving district manager, Craig Hammerman — presently on leave from the board because of the ongoing ordeal — decided not to take the deal that would have forced him to admit to a violation while other more serious charges would have been dropped, Patch first reported.
Hammerman’s lawyer, Joyce David, told DNAinfo her client prefers to hold out for an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal (ACD), and does not believe the DA would want to go to trial, given her belief that the ex-girlfriend he is accused of stalking is a “problem witness.”
David claims that the ex has continued to bait Hammerman into violating the order of protection barring him from contact with her.
His ex has continued to send text messages to Hammerman, including showing up at his apartment building to try and get him to talk with her and putting a Starbucks coffee cup with her name on it in his mailbox, David claimed.
“She stalked him,” the attorney said. “It’s risky behavior.”
Hammerman last month began a 60-day leave from his post at the board, which represents Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Red Hook and Park Slope. He is well known in local civic circles, having worked for the board since 1990, and earns $112,000 a year, according to public records.
He planned to remain out of town for the duration of his leave, posting on Facebook that he was going to the desert for “spirit healing and soul cleansing,” according to Patch.
A call to Hammerman's ex-girlfriend went unreturned.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request comment.
