Ithaca lawyer indicted for perjury, planting evidence

An Ithaca attorney was indicted last week for perjury and planting evidence in a Tompkins County legislator's vehicle according to documents from Ithaca City Court.

Jeffrey W. Butcher, 53, is charged with first-degree perjury and tampering with evidence — both felony charges.

According to the felony complaints, Butcher is accused of falsely stating in May in Tompkins County Family Court he did not place a call to the Tompkins County 911 Center on February and report he observed drugs inside a vehicle. He is also accused of planting the evidence in the vehicle, which was previously identified as belonging to Tompkins County legislator Michael Sigler. The complaint also alleges Butcher falsely stated he did not use a TracFone to make the call to the 911 Center and falsely stated he was not at the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport when the observation of the drugs was made.

Included in the complaint is a deposition from a party to a family court matter, recorded phone calls placed by Butcher to the Tompkins County 911 Center in February and June, and a recorded phone call between Butcher and New York State Police in July 2016.

Butcher pleaded not guilty in Ithaca City Court in October.

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Ithaca lawyer indicted for perjury, planting evidence