ELDRED, NY — Marc Anthony has contested claims made by the Town of Highland in the latest filings of their legal dispute. 

Anthony took the Town of Highland to court, claiming that it eliminated its constables department specifically to get rid of him in a manner that violated his rights of redress. The town has contested this claim in its filings, claiming that it eliminated the constables department primarily for reasons of cost. 

The town previously filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Anthony responded to that motion with additional evidence supporting his position. 

One exhibit includes a testimony from another of the former constables, Scott Van Tuyl. 

Van Tuyl supports Anthony in his statement, saying that he cared for and showed up to support the people of the town, and affirms Anthony’s claims that the town eliminated the constables as a targeted decision. 

“I believe, and it was generally believed by all constables, that the constabulary was abolished in its entirety because Town of Highland wanted to fire Constable Marc Anthony instead of directing any disciplinary procedures against him. I hold this belief because the town and constabulary only made accusations against Constable Anthony in their constables report when there were other constables who avoided any accusations or discipline for wrong doing,” writes Van Tuyl. 

In the most recent filings, Anthony argues as well that he had rights as a civil servant that needed to be respected, even if the town did choose to eliminate the constables for reasons of cost. In addition, Anthony contests the civilian complaints filed against him. 

The Town of Highland filed its own motion contesting Anthony’s additional charges. The court has not yet ruled on the motion to dismiss.