Binghamton Lawmakers May Call for Zikuski Criminal Probe

Binghamton city councilmembers may call on the New York state attorney general's office to conduct a criminal investigation into the actions of former police chief Joseph Zikuski.

Lawmakers are planning to vote next week on a resolution that would call for a legal review and "public accountability" after the release of a law firm's review of Zikuski's conduct.

The long-time police chief was placed on paid leave in July after a video recording was posted to social media showing part of a dispute involving Zikuski's girlfriend and two neighbors. Zikuski, who was off-duty, was at the scene of the incident on Ackley Avenue in Johnson City.

Zikuski opted to retire from the police department before the results of the independent investigation were made public.

The review concluded Zikuski had violated policies in the aftermath of the incident. It revealed he had wiped information from his city-issued phone and iPad while on leave. He also had contacted the Johnson City police chief and the Broome County district attorney before his girlfriend was charged in the dispute.

The investigation also found Zikuski had stored a personal firearm in his City Hall office without permission.

According to a news release, the proposed City Council resolution would formally condemn Zikuski's behavior. It also would urge a criminal investigation by the county district attorney's office and the New York State Attorney General.

The resolution also would call for "full cooperation from the Mayor's office with further investigations and the establishment of a plan for stronger ethics oversight" within the police department.

Zikuski, who joined the Binghamton police department in 1979, has made no public comment since the report was released.

Mayor Jared Kraham issued a statement last Thursday when his office released the findings of the investigation conducted by the Lippes Mathias law firm:

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.