Ericksen waives action by grand jury

CANTON — An impending deadline for grand jury action against a former Ogdensburg city councilor who was charged in September with forgery has been waived by his attorney.

Kresten F. "Chris" Ericksen, was charged Sept. 13 by state police with forging a receipt for $8,000 in Ogdensburg Free Academy Student Council funds. The funds were used as "advance" money to reimburse performers and crew members for travel and other expenses associated with a June 2006 World Wrestling Entertainment show at the school's Edgar A. Newell Golden Dome. Mr. Ericksen was dome director and student council adviser at the time.

Mr. Ericksen's arrest started a six-month clock running for grand jury action. But defense attorney Gary W. Miles, Gouverneur, said Friday he has waived the deadline and is seeking a meeting with District Attorney Nicole M. Duvé, World Wrestling officials and auditors who looked into Student Council finances after wrestling officials complained they were shorted an estimated $15,000.

The purpose of the meeting would be "to answer some questions that Nicole wants answered and to get answers to some questions Chris has," Mr. Miles said. "There is no deal."

Ms. Duvé said she is open to a meeting but will continue to prepare to seek forgery and possibly other indictments from a grand jury in the near future even though she no longer faces a mid-March deadline for action.

"No meeting has been scheduled but I am always open to talking to anyone," Ms. Duvé said.