Politics & Government

Pizza Prankster Pleads Guilty, Will Pay For Pies

Maria Polera, 53, who ordered unsolicited pizzas to the home of Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

The former Harrison Democratic Party district leader charged with ordering unsolicited pizzas to the home of Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh has entered a guilty plea, ending one of the oddest criminal cases in recent memory.

Maria Polera, 53, has pleaded guilty to one charge of disorderly conduct and another charge of second-degree harassment. She will pay a $250 fine and pay for the pizzas she ordered. Town Justice Marc Lust also ordered a two-year order of protection for Walsh and a one year conditional discharge, meaning Polera likely won't serve any jail time.

Polera was originally charged with six misdemeanor theft of services charges in addition to the second-degree harassment violation.

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police arrested Polera on July 12 after an investigation revealed she had been  in West Harrison for the previous six to eight months. Polera was charged with placing orders six times, although police believe the fake orders were sent in on at least a dozen occasions to different establishments in the area. Polera is believed to have watched at least some of the deliveries being made while hiding out nearby.

Polera and Walsh were political allies as recently as 2009 when both ran on the same ticket during election season. Polera ran for receiver of taxes in 2007 and 2009 but lost each time. 

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Court records say Polera turned on Walsh because she was upset about crude comments Walsh had made to her, specifically citing comments by the mayor about Polera's "body odor" and that Polera was "unelectable".


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