The New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), which Saratoga Springs Accounts Commissioner Dillon Moran violated, is at the heart of a healthy democracy. It was enacted to ensure that citizens could be confident that their inquiries about government documents would be fairly and honestly addressed. This principle is at the heart of the trial and conviction of Dillon Moran.
On Friday, August 29, 2025, Saratoga Springs City Court Judge Jeffrey Wait found Dillon Moran guilty of three counts of unlawful obstruction of public records. Wait found that Moran had willfully and knowingly signed three false certifications in which he swore he did not have documents being sought under the Freedom of Information Law, which he, in fact, possessed.
Judge Wait Issues Decision
Judge Wait’s decision was clear, concise, and brief.
Selected Highlights From Testimony
These are a few of the most damaging testimonies during the trial.
According to testimony and documents, Moran informed the city’s FOIL officer that the texts on his personal cell phones were not subject to FOIL. This, despite being advised by both the FOIL officer and City Attorney Izzo that any of his private devices were subject to FOIL. His arrogance and intransigence in the face of this advice could not be defended.
According to testimony, Moran told the FOIL officer that it would take a judge’s order to make him release anything from his private cell phones. This was not the case.
According to testimony, he told another witness that he could communicate with him if he sent an “innocuous” text to Moran’s city cell phone as a trigger to have Moran call him, thus avoiding any written records of their conversation that he thought would be FOILable.
Moran threatened one of the witnesses, warning him he would “unleash his army” on him.
According to testimony, Moran kept private cell phones and a private email address to circumvent FOIL.
This Blogger’s Experience
When this blogger FOILed for any records related to how Moran determined the charges for restaurants and bars to use city sidewalks and parking spaces for outdoor dining, the response was that no such records existed. It begs credibility that there were no text messages or other communications for such a significant initiative. I had other similar experiences FOILing for documents on other issues involving Moran. It was apparent that Moran was routinely violating my FOIL requests, but I didn’t seem to have any recourse.
The Delusional Local Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee
Each day of the trial, a group of local Democrats attended the trial to support Moran. Among those were:
- Otis Maxwell, the current Chair of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee
- Hank Kuczynski, who was the unsuccessful Democratic write-in candidate for Commissioner of Public Works last January
- Pat Tuz, who previously chaired the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee and is a current member of the Committee
- Martha Devaney, chair of the Saratoga County Democratic Committee
- Gordon Boyd , a member of the SS Democratic committee and the NY State Democratic Committee
- Michele Madigan, this year’s Democratic candidate for Mayor and a SS Democratic Committee member
- Matthew Taylor, who is working on Madigan’s campaign
- Gayle LaSalle, who is working on Madigan’s campaign
- Alice Smith, SS Democratic Committee member
- Jack Carter, SS Democratic Committee member
- Stacy Connors, Moran’s deputy
- B.K. Keramati, the endorsed Democratic candidate for Commissioner of Public Works and a SS Democratic Committee member
It was interesting to observe them. At the end of the second day’s testimony, it was clear that they were excited about the proceedings and believed Moran would prevail.
Ben Hill, Moran’s attorney, did his best but didn’t have much to work with. He spent a considerable amount of time crafting a narrative that portrayed Mike Brandi, the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee Chair as the mastermind behind pursuing what he characterized as political charges, against Moran. His cross-examination of Brandi showed that Brandi was directly in touch with the Sheriff’s office. He cited Brandi’s correspondence with the Sheriff’s Department, suggesting possible charges. Brandi also provided the Sheriff’s Department with the telephone numbers and information of the other three witnesses who testified. While Hill portrayed these moves by Brandi as inappropriate, prosecution attorney Joseph Frandino pointed out that if someone suspects a law has been broken these are steps that need to be taken.
Brandi seemed to thoroughly enjoy testifying. Brandi is an attorney who has worked for municipalities and is steeped in FOIL law. At times, he challenged Hill’s understanding of FOIL law. Moran’s supporters viewed Brandi as self-assured to the point of arrogance. It was clear that they felt Brandi’s attitude and actions undermined the prosecution’s case.
What they failed to understand was that whatever Brandi’s role may have been in orchestrating the case was irrelevant. As Judge Wait’s decision made clear, the central legal issue was whether Moran had deliberately withheld documents that he knew were not exempt from FOIL disclosure. The evidence was overwhelming that Moran had illegally withheld the documents.
Moran’s supporters should not have been shocked and surprised by Wait’s decision, but their passion to support Dillon had overcome their judgment.
Disgrace
I have written before that the leadership and members of the local Democratic Committee to me resemble a cult. As with most cults, they put loyalty before anything else. How else can one explain their full-throated support for a government official who blatantly violated the most fundamental element of government transparency, FOIL? Rather than distance themselves from Moran for his irresponsible and illegal behavior, they chose to be his champions. These events only tarnish their organization’s reputation. One has to ask, how will they attract thoughtful people to join the local committee and run for office when they support and excuse rather than admonish behavior such as that of Dillon Moran?
Saratoga Springs Politics 
The Three Stooges
Moran was shown to be the psycopath he is
Brandi obviously ambushed Moran , in concert with Ms Smith
Millis was out for vengeance over the First Night pissing match
I sure wouldn’t share a foxhole with any of them.
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Will the City Council at least censure Commissioner Moran for his actions now that he has been found guilty? A previous City Council censured former Mayor Yepsen after she failed to disclose that she had been seeking a contract with Saratoga Hospital for her firm while at the same time presiding over meetings where the Hospital was seeking approval for expansion of their campus to a property on Morgan Street. Commissioner Moran’s offense would seem to be of a more serious nature.
Chris Mathiesen
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“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”
Dillon Moran makes mistakes. He pursued the Republican Candidate Samantha Guerra for forging election ballot signatures with a vengeance and was very quick to involve law enforcement in 2021. This left him with a permanent bullseye on his back.
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/GOP-candidate-charged-misconduct-in-handling-of-16596137.php
While I am not saying that Ms. Guerra was innocent or guilty; the small violations of honesty and integrity that every person is guilty of from time to time are magnified when one seeks political office. Perhaps it was not right to so publicly castigate her at that time. Maybe it could have been handled a different way.
Dillon has problems with reality testing and perception and should be seeing a professional. While I like his enthusiasm and his determination, I believe he needs to reflect and come to terms with the insight of some of his elders.
His assertions on the ‘discoverability’ of communications are incredulous.
He should have represented himself and pled guilty with no appeal and it would have gone away long ago. He could have continued and the voters would simply take it into account.
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Ambushed? Sounds like a law was broken and consequences followed. No more an ambush than a speed trap on the highway. Obey the rules when you drive and don’t complain when you’re caught breaking them.
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It is truly disheartening to see how unprofessional, unethical, and morally compromised the County and City Democratic Committees have become. I served as County Democratic Chair for over 11 years and was fortunate to work alongside individuals who had a strong moral compass and a deep respect for the values our party should represent.
Unfortunately, today’s leadership seems adrift. Accountability has been replaced with arrogance and excuse-making. When a candidate is removed from the ballot for failing to comply with election laws, blame is not placed on their own oversight, but on the opposing party for filing a legal challenge. When a candidate is found to have willfully violated FOIL laws, the focus is not on the violation itself, but on blaming those who submitted the FOIL request.
It is deeply troubling that some Democratic candidates accept endorsements from the Working Families Party—a party whose leaders have, in some cases, participated in chants calling to “globalize the intifada” and “from the river to the sea,” while organizing protests in front of Jewish houses of worship in the heart of the city.
Because I speak out, some of these so-called Democrats now refer to me as MAGA or a Republican. Let me be clear: until local Democrats take responsibility for their actions—and stop deflecting every criticism by invoking Donald Trump—they will remain a group defined not by principles, but by moral confusion and political opportunism.
Of course, what I would have done—and what any ethical leader should do—is immediately call for Dillon Moran’s resignation and withdrawal from any re-election efforts. Sadly, I expect we will see more deflection, more finger-pointing, and more justifications rooted in “whataboutism,” rather than any honest reflection or accountability.
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Gaslighting and Ad Hominem are the tools of the pathological narcissist. They are the shield of the intellectually weak and self-righteous.
Kudos to you sir, for saying the words today’s Democrats are incapable of speaking.
Perhaps one day again, the current generation of Democrats will return to the moral high ground instead of the “whataboutism” so clearly on display. We can only hope.
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Will you ever write a post criticizing elected Republicans and/or the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee? Just once?
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Bruce:
What are your thoughts about Moran’s conviction?
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Seems to be a fair and accurate ruling, which I’m sure you’ll mention for months. Kind of like your seeming obsession with former Commissioner Golub’s case. Let me ask you a question…if the SSDC endlessly foiled Mayor Safford or Commissioner’s Coll and/or Marshall, as SSRC leader Brandi does to Democrat Commissioners, can you assert that you would cover the situation similarly? Or, maybe more salient, since your blog ostensibly covers “Saratoga Springs politics,” is there nothing to discuss, investigate, opine about on the Republican side of things?
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Yes. I urge you to pursue anything you can on any party. If you find something please let me know.
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Is Dillon Moron the new Keith Raniere? Lord have mercy on Mr. Maxwell and Ms. Madigan as they perform their supportive dances across the street from City Hall.
We are as you!
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so moran’s deputy was paid to sit thru this trial for 3 days?
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As seems to be your MO lately, you rely on assumptions that are not necessarily found in fact or reality. Despite the arrogance of your thinking, you don’t know why I was in attendance – or anyone else for that matter. You no longer make an attempt to find out because you seem to have become the all knowing John Kaufman.
Here’s something to think about: One can choose to observe a trial out of interest without judgement (a skill you might want to develop) then fully support the decision of the Judge. Some might even support Dillon as a person without implicit approval of his actions. Is that an idea within your thinking or have you become so myopically biased that you make statements to further an agenda (not sure what that is)
“There is a blog post at saratogaspringspolitics.com on the guilt of Dillon Moran and how the Democratic Party sits by idly in support of Dillon. It even goes so far as to suggest it knows why I or others on the Democratic Committee, including members of my campaign team, attended the court proceedings. Frankly, that’s arrogant.
The case itself was about FOIL. I fully support FOIL — it is an important tool for transparency and accountability in government. But let’s be honest: it doesn’t change the fact that Mike Brandi, gop city chair, seems to have nothing better to do with his time than file endless FOIL requests targeting Democrats. Maybe it’s time we start using the same tactics to shine a light on local Republicans.
I was there because it was an interesting case. This matter was ruled on by a Democratic city court judge, Jeff Wait, and I support his decision. That’s where I stand.”
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Hey Gayle, will you be giving out pizza like you did that one time you tried to help a candidate? That was awesome!
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You mean 12 years ago under the direction of former Mayor Yepsen or just a bit later under Cortney DeLeonardis who is now the head of One Saratoga? Digging deep there Margo!
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MAD-AGAIN and her Mini Michele are up to their usual routine . A lot of talking but not taking a stance one way or another.
Ask her about Charter Change if you are hungry for a similat Nothingburger. Or any other important issue.
What is it, Michele?
Should Moran resign?
Do you still suport him in the election?
THOSE ARE YES OR NO QUESTIONS.
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Your immature and rather trumpian need to denigrate with name-calling says a lot about you despite the fact that you appear too cowardly to tell us who you are. Or as a wise man taught me years ago, your grasp of logic and the English language must be lacking. While I hesitate to respond to someone who “does a lot of talking” behind a pseudonym, I’ll take a stab at logic and reality. Perhaps, reading when you have an agenda is not your strong suit. I believe Michele made her position clear. She supports the Judge’s decision. It will be up to the Democratic Committee and Dillon, himself to make further decisions. Perhaps she not as arrogant as some to think she is the be all to end all in decision making and judging.
Of course, you have to digress to other topics. More telling of what you are made of, if not who you are.
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Dear Mini: We await her reply.
Notice the questooms were not directed to you.?
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THE MORAN EFFECT: Are we sure Madigan drew double digits at her event Thursday night? (not counting a handful of the party hacks)
Are you Democrats going to die on this Moran cross?
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January 1, 2026
Moran and Sanghvi will be gone. The new council will be Mayor Safford, Commissioners Marshall and Coll and the two candidates who will defeat Moran and Sanghvi. What a breath of fresh air that will be. This childish behavior has been a black eye for our beloved city. It’s time to get back to civility. God Bless America.!!
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