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East Haven Mayor Pleads Not Guilty

East Haven Mayor April Capone Almon pleaded not guilty of interfering with a police.

By Kristie Borges

| Wednesday, Sep 16, 2009 | Updated 1:00 PM EST

East Haven Mayor April Capone-Almon pleaded not guilty.

East Haven’s mayor and her secretary appeared before a judge on Wednesday in New Haven and pleaded not guilty to charges of interfering with police on July 19 at the town beach.

Mayor April Capone-Almon and Erica Berg and accused of trying to stop a police officer from towing several cars blocking access to the Cosy Beach parking lot.

Capone Almon says she acted within her authority and in the best interests of East Haven residents. Police say the cars were being towed because blocked vehicles were exiting the beach through a children’s play area.

Both are due back in court on Oct. 16. The charges are a misdemeanor. If convicted, it will be up to the court to determine the penalty.

Capone Almon told NBC Connecticut when she surrendered to police earlier this month that she's not worried about this arrest spilling into election season, which is less than two months away.