PHARSALIA – Prosecutors said they are seeking a felony conviction against Chenango County's longest serving town supervisor that would limit his ability to hold public office, after he was charged with stealing $123,000 from taxpayers.

Pharsalia Town Supervisor Dennis Brown has pleaded not guilty. He remains the longest serving Chenango County supervisor and has been on the board for 35 years. He sits on the county’s finance and public works committees.

Cortland County DA Patrick A. Perfetti, who is the special prosecutor in the case, said Brown should pay back taxpayers and plea to a felony.

Perfetti said he had not ruled-out accepting a plea deal, saying it would greatly depend on the amount Brown would be able to pay back. Perfetti said his office wanted most, if not all of the alleged stolen funds repaid and that Brown would likely need to plea to a felony.

Last week, Assistant District Attorney Victoria J. Monty said the defense had waived their right to a speedy trial.

“We want a resolution, paramount in our minds is that he reimburse the town,” she said.

“We anticipate a felony conviction here,” said Monty. She explained that under state law Brown would not be able to hold a public office once convicted of a felony. “Certainly we are considering the fact that this is a crime against the people he was supposed to be representing and protecting. It has to be a factor.”