Robert “Bobby” Bruno, 59, the former owner of two Saugerties eateries, was indicted by an Ulster County grand jury on Feb. 25 on charges related to an alleged ongoing sexual relationship with a minor.
If he’s convicted of these charges and similar ones Bruno’s facing in Greene County, a judge could conceivably put him in prison for 45 years.
According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, Bruno was charged, following his arrest last September, with the felonies of five counts of rape — four in the second degree and one in the third — and one count of second-degree criminal sex act; combined, these charges could lead to a maximum of 20 years in prison.
On Dec. 10, 2019, nearly two months after he was released on bail from the Ulster County Jail, he was charged by state police in Catskill with first-degree rape and third-degree course sexual conduct against a child, felonies. Bruno is now in Albany County Jail on $25,000 bail.
Combined, the charges leveled by Greene County authorities could lead to a sentence of 25 years in prison. According to Ulster Chief Assistant District Attorney Katherine Van Loan, a judge will determine whether these sentences will be served separately or concurrently.
Van Loan said that the victim reported the repeated sexual conduct to Saugerties Police, and that the victim had been “familiar with [Bruno]” before the abuse took place.
Bruno once owned Delicioso on Partition Street and Bruno’s Pizza on Route 9W, both of which have been featured in the Saugerties Times.
Both locations have since been closed. Previously, Bruno, a Newburgh resident, operated Bruno’s Deli and Pizza in Tivoli.
Any individuals who know of or have been victims of sexual violence can reach out to the Ulster County Crime Victims Advocate Program, which provides counseling, relocation and safety planning services. Their hotline number is (845) 340-3442. Any residents with further knowledge of misconduct perpetrated by Bruno can contact the Saugerties Police Department with details. Their number is (845) 246-9800; all calls will be kept confidential.
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