Councilman booked on harassment charge

PHOTOGRAPHER: Eric Jenks

Councilman John Mootooveren speaks on Van Wranken Avenue in Schenectady, NY July 5th, 2017.

SCHENECTADY — City Councilman John Mootooveren has now been booked and released on a harassment violation, authorities said.

Mootooveren, 46, of 10th Avenue, turned himself in at city police headquarters at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday. He is to have his first appearance in court on March 28.

According to the court filing, Mootooveran is accused of throwing an alcoholic drink in the face of 58-year-old city resident Nandalall Hariraj at about 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 14 in The Exit Bar, 868 Crane St. The incident caused burning and irritation to Hariraj’s eyes, requiring medical attention.

Hariraj is listed as the person who brought the complaint, which he filed on March 6.

Mootooveren’s attorney, Steven Kouray, has said the incident involved a man who was upset that he couldn’t get a zoning variance. Kouray also called the incident “trivial,” and, “blown out of proportion.”

Mootooveren first won a seat on City Council in 2013. He won a second four-year term in November.