Gerard Savage, chief of staff for New York Senator, Ruth Hassell Thompson is embroiled in Westchester County Family Court, accused of ongoing domestic violence against the mother of his child, failure to pay child support, and is engaged in a custody battle. Mr. Savage who is an attorney, appeared in White Plains court last week to face these charges, representing himself, at which time the judge denied his request to dismiss the case, and a temporary restraining order was extended until the next court appearance by the parties in June 2016.
According to court documents obtained by Mr. Savage is being charged with Disorderly Conduct, Harassment in the 1st Degree, Harassment in the 2nd Degree, Menacing in the 2nd Degree, Menacing in the 3rd Degree, Assault in the 3rd Degree, Attempted Assault, Stalking in the 3rd Degree and Stalking in the 4th Degree
In a year of outrage and demeaning political commentary about women, campaign managers charged with battery, this is a new development in New York politics that has surfaced just before New York’s presidential primary.
Bronx Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson who sits on the Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections, knows well the plight of women facing domestic violence. She has convened over Domestic Violence Hearings in both New York and Washington and is viewed as somewhat as a crusader in the issue. There are several videos uploaded to YouTube where the senator listens to victims of domestic violence describe the early signs and incidents that lead to more serious and more violent situations.
If the allegations are true, the senator has apparently missed any warning signs about her own chief of staff. Unnamed sources close to the senator say there were prior incidents brought to her attention that she concluded disqualified Mr. Savage for bigger roles in her organization and jurisdiction. The matter of unpaid child support had not been uncovered.
The Petition filed in White Plains family court by a former female companion (name withheld) covers 15 or so incidents recorded over 30 years (dating back to the late 1980’s) including a punch in the face, alleged violent outbursts and behavior, aiming an automobile at petitioner, threats to drag victim out of the house, numerous threatening text messages, police reports, etc.
According to court documents Mr. Savage was asked to vacate the house he shared with the petitioner, to whom he was not married, six years ago because of ongoing physical and psychological abuse. They have a son together and in the course of communication since that time, verbal and psychological abuse has continued.
According to court documents, Gerald Savage of 1260 Washington Street, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 was issued an order of protection against him in accordance to Section 842 of the Family Court Act on April 5, 2015 by the Honorable Rachel Hahn of the 9th Juridical District of Westchester Family Court in White Plains. In the temporary restraining order in effect until June 3, 2016 Savage is to refrain from communication or any other contact by mail, telephone, email, voice mail or any other means with the petitioner (name withheld) except for matter regarding their child.
Gerard Savage has worked for Senator Ruth Hassell Thompson for last 6 years. According to court documents, many abusive texts, conversations, and threats have occurred during that time.
Mr. Savage, among the highest paid employees in the New York State Senate has earned as much as $145,000 in recent years. The judge ordered Mr. Savage to immediately begin paying child support as no financial support to the child’s mother had ever been paid. The two are also ensnared in a child custody battle.
We reached out to Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson to give her a chance to speak on the matter before publishing the article, she called us back a few hours later, unaware of the preceding court case except for the fact the couple was in a custody battle. While she couldn’t speak on the domestic violence allegations she did offer a brief comment about the custody case.
“They have an extraordinary group of kids, hers and his and I would just hope they would be able to resolve this in a way that would do the least harm to the children,” Senator Hassell-Thompson tell BW via phone. “Adults can take care of themselves, but children really get hurt by this. I didn’t know the allegation until I heard them from you, I was aware of the charges all I knew was they were in a court case about custody.”
Calls into Gerard Savage for comment were not returned before the publishing of this story, but we will continue to reach out to him.
It is also fair to mention that sometimes allegations can surface from both parties accusing the other of crimes like these in custody battles over the children which can often turn ugly. Mr. Savage is innocent until proven guilty and a temporary restraining order does not automatic mean the he is guilty. Stay tuned to BW for further details in the developing story.
Senator Hassell-Thompson is running this fall to retain her seat in the 36 Senatorial District.
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester and Co-Owner of Urban Soul Media Group, the parent company, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show. AJ is a Father, Brother, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Hip-Hop Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.
