WALTON - Delaware County’s newest Republican Committee Chairperson, Katie Taggart, who was previously known as Katherine Covell, of Walton, and was elected Sept. 30 at the county committee’s re-organizational meeting, is a convicted felon. According to documents on file with the Delaware County Clerk’s Office, Taggart is not prohibited from holding the position, though she is prohibited from holding public office. A town political committee representative, which is a position Taggart holds, is not considered a public office, according to the New York State Board of Elections, Taggart says.
Taggart, 37, caused the death of Frank Ruiz, also of Walton, on state Route 10, Nov. 29, 2008, while driving drunk. According to the indictment criminally charging her, Taggart “operated a motor vehicle upon said public highway in a manner that caused the death of Frank Ruiz.” A civil lawsuit alleging wrongful death filed against Taggart and her mother, who owned and/or insured the vehicle Taggart was driving, states that Ruiz was a passenger in Taggart’s vehicle, when Taggart crashed the car, striking a tree, killing Ruiz. The lawsuit sought damages on behalf of Ruiz’s children. Another passenger in Taggart’s vehicle, Eduardo Torres, Jr., also of Walton, filed a lawsuit against Taggart and her mother for injuries sustained in the crash. Torres’ lawsuit was discontinued in Aug. 2013 and it is unclear from court documents if an insurance settlement was reached.
Taggart was 22 years old when Ruiz was killed. The felony case dragged on in Delaware County Court for nearly two years before former Judge Carl Becker sentenced Taggart on June 28, 2010 to four months in jail and five years probation. Her sentence included a provision that she complete Delaware County Drug Court. Taggart was also fined $1,000 and her driver’s license was revoked for one year.
Taggart applied for and was granted a certificate of relief from disabilities by Becker on Oct. 24, 2012. The certificate “removes any barriers” to employment, allows her to vote and allows her to apply for a pistol permit and/or own firearms. However, the certificate states that Taggart is not eligible to hold public office.
Taggart was discharged from probation early - in three years, rather than five years - on June 26, 2013 on consent of Becker and Delaware County Probation Director Scott Glueckert. Taggart also attempted to have the criminal record and conviction sealed in accordance with a state law passed in recent years which allows people convicted of certain crimes to remove the records from the public domain. Delaware County Court Judge Gary Rosa denied Taggart’s request on Sept. 18, 2020, indicating the charge she pled guilty to is not an offense that is eligible to be sealed.
Following a request for comment on the conviction and her newly elected position, Taggart said, “I have again contacted the New York State Board of Elections. Their attorney stated that I am not disqualified from holding this position.”
For related coverage read: DelCo GOP changes leadership
