Wife of former police chief pleads not guilty in drug ring case

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

Lisa Kaczmarek, wife of former Schenectady police chief Greg Kaczmarek, is led into Schenectady County Court this morning, where she pleaded not guilty to charges she was involved in a highly organized drug ring based in the city.

The wife of former Schenectady police chief Greg Kaczmarek pleaded not guilty this morning to charges she was involved in a highly organized drug ring based in the city.

Lisa Kaczmarek, 48, appeared in Schenectady County Court this morning along with 18 others of the 24 indicted Wednesday for their alleged roles in the drug ring. Lisa Kaczmarek’s son, Miles Smith, was also named in the indictment and appeared in court today.

Lisa Kaczmarek pleaded not guilty to a felony count of second-degree conspiracy and had bail set at $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond. Kaczmarek was granted bail after her attorney, Kevin Luibrand, quickly crafted a handwritten applcation. Acting Schenectady County Court Judge Christine Clark had said earlier in the session that she would not hear bail applications until Monday.

Greg Kaczmarek sat in the gallery as his wife was arraigned, but declined comment afterwards, other than to say, “I love my wife. She has my full support.”

Drug ring indictment

To read the entire text of the grand jury indictment, click here.

The 24 people included in the indictment are accused of taking part in a highly-organized cocaine and heroin distribution operation with roots on Schenectady’s North Side, but reaching throughout the Capital Region. The operation was so sophisticated, authorities said, that members were responsible for specific duties, including driving cocaine and heroin from Long Island, and had designated supervisors to manage the operation.

Kerry Kirkem, 40, and Oscar Mora, 30, have been accused of leading the ring. Kirkem pleaded not guilty this morning to felony counts of conspiracy and criminal possession and sale of a controlled substance. Kirkem’s attorney, Michael Braccini, was getting his first look at the indictment, this morning, he said, but expects to challenge a warrant allowing wiretaps that were crucial to the investigation.

Police arrested 17 people Thursday after the indictment was opened Wednesday in Schenectady County Court, with four more of the accused – including Kirkem and Mora – already behind bars after drug raids in March. Three people were still at large.

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