Evans Talks Previous Criminal Record, Addresses Rumors

Patchogue Village mayoral candidate is addressing rumors regarding his previous criminal record that have been brought up during the often heated campaign. 

Specifically, Evans was convicted of a charge of criminal contempt in the second degree in 2002, resulting in a sentencing of probation that he said he completed.

Evans said the charge came about when, at around the age of 18 or 19, he read the diary of his girlfriend at the time and took it with him. Evans said the father found out and called the police, resulting in a burglary charge and a one-year order of protection being placed against him. However, during the time the order was issued, Evans said he remained in contact with the woman and began dating her again.

The violation resulted in the criminal contempt charge.

"It's embarrassing, I feel stupid, but I think it's also something...People that are young and in love make stupid decisions," the now 32-year-old Evans said.

Evans said that since then he had been in counseling, has performed volunteer work and served out his probation.

Evans also said that he is still friends with his former girlfriend and her father, and that she is even working on his current campaign.

The other criminal charge Evans said he received was also in his teenage years. Evans said that he and other friends sat on an air conditioner that broke, also breaking a window. He said that he turned himself in and received a charge of trespassing.

Evans also denied rumors of receiving a DWI charge and of domestic violence, calling them lies.

"My mistakes were over a decade ago, almost half of my life ago," Evans said.

Evans said that he had been addressing his past throughout his campaign, and had been hoping to send a message that even those that make mistakes when younger can still move past them.

"Maybe even a dozen years later, you can actually help your community," Evans said.

Evans also wanted to address a rumor that his campaign was funded by Tritec Real Estate Company, whose plan has become a contested point of the election.

Evans denied this, and also showed Patch his campaign finances which equated to $259.24 in Google advertisements and $84.04 in Facebook advertisements. The campaign also purchased around 30 signs.

Overall, Evans acknowledged that while he has had criminal charges in the past, he said he was was fine with addressing the rumors, as long as they were based on the facts. 

"Everyone does stupid things in their life unfortunately it turned into a criminal manner...my fault it did," Evans said.