Jail cook falls for inmate, crime follows
From the Livingston County Sheriff,
GENESEO/YORK – Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of a part time Jail Division cook on felony and misdemeanor charges following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
In April of 2023, the Sheriff’s Office began an investigation after it was alleged that a civilian staff member working in the Livingston County Jail was having inappropriate communications with a male who was incarcerated in the facility. At that time, the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division conducted an inquiry into the allegations.
It is alleged through the investigation that 56 year-old, Lisa M. Falkner was having a romantic relationship with the inmate which included an incident of her inappropriately touching the inmate. It is also alleged that Falkner brought an item into the Jail which was then provided to the inmate. Through the course of the investigation, it is also additionally alleged that Falkner purposely altered evidence when she was made aware of the investigation being conducted into her actions.
On May 11th, 2023, Sheriff’s Investigator Brad Schneider arrested and charged Falkner with felony Tampering with Physical Evidence, misdemeanor Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree and misdemeanor Forcible Touching.
Falkner was turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for arrest processing. The District
Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level charge. It was recommended that Falkner be released on her own recognizance as the charges did not qualify for a Judge to set bail under the NYS Bail Reform.
Falkner was issued appearance tickets returnable to the Geneseo Village Court and York Town Court and was released from custody.
Assisting with the investigation were members of the Sheriff’s Command Staff, Criminal Investigations Division and Correctional Services Bureau.
“We must always police our own with the same impartiality that we police our communities,” stated Sheriff Dougherty. “The trust of the badge is maintained and grown by those standards of integrity, and transparency with those we serve.”
