Mahopac Man Charged with Harassing Coach after Daughter Cut from Lax Team
A Mahopac school district parent didn’t like that his daughter had been cut from the high school girls’ lacrosse team, and allegedly took his frustration out on the coach, according to police.
Two misdemeanor charges have been filed against Mahopac School District resident Alfonso DiFusco, according to the Town of Carmel court, following an incident between DiFusco and Mahopac girls lacrosse coach Jim Lieto on March 13. The charges are fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment, according to the court clerks’ office. A March 17 arrest warrant has also been issued by judge Thomas Jacobellis, according to the court clerks.
Carmel Police Chief Mike Cazzari said officers responded to a call from Lieto at the high school that Friday night after 8 p.m.
Cazzari said a parent’s child was apparently cut from the varsity lacrosse team and as a result the parent confronted the coach. From there, it is alleged DiFusco was “punching on him and spitting on him, cursing and yelling at him.”
No arrest has been made as of Monday morning, Cazzari said. Carmel police didn’t respond until the incident was over, but took a report and investigated what occurred.
Mahopac interim Superintendent of Schools Brian Monahan said in an e-mail the individual accused has been barred from all school district properties.
“This incident has obviously triggered a legal process that will play out,” Monahan said in a statement. “Meanwhile, I have banned the individual that has been charged from all school properties. It appears that our coach handled the situation appropriately and professionally. We have security on campus at all times, including during after school activities. That will continue. Athletics is very important in Mahopac. We are glad that so many students are involved in sports. Fortunately, the vast majority of our students and their parents act appropriately. This event is certainly not typical and we will deal with it.”
