Charges against Mejias quietly dropped

Charges of menacing and stalking a former girlfriend have been dismissed against former Democratic Nassau Legis. David Mejias, who dropped his bid for a state Senate seat last fall because of the allegations.

The last misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment was dismissed in Hempstead District Court on Friday while the seven counts of misdemeanor menacing and stalking were dropped in December, Mejias said Monday. The Queens district attorney's office, which handled prosecution of the politically charged case, confirmed the dismissals and said the case was sealed.

"At the end of the day, the system worked," said Mejias, 40, a divorce attorney from Farmingdale who maintained his innocence. "All charges were completely dismissed and I've been vindicated."

The former girlfriend told police that Mejias tailgated her about noon on Sept. 1 near Piping Rock Road in Matinecock. At one point, she claimed, he got out of his Cadillac, slammed his hands on the hood of her Land Rover and unleashed a profanity-laced tirade.

The alleged incident appeared to land a fatal blow to the political future of Mejias, who dropped his challenge against longtime Republican State Sen. Kemp Hannon of Garden City.

"It was 100 percent blown out of proportion," said Mejias' lawyer Oscar Michelen.

He said Mejias and the woman had a business dispute that led each to call and text the other. When Mejias saw the woman turn toward his law office as he drove to work, he texted her that they should talk and pulled over. They argued and she drove away, he said.

"He never pounded on the hood. There was never a threat of violence," Michelen said. "It was an argument between adults."

In court papers, Michelen said the woman initiated 67 phone calls and 172 text messages to Mejias in the previous month and called him five times that day, including three during the alleged incident.

A woman who answered Newsday's calls to the woman's cellphone and home hung up Monday.

Michelen noted that Mejias' arrest was posted on a local political blog before it occurred.

Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs said, "I think this whole episode was so unfair to Dave Mejias. I think that's the worst part of politics."

Mejias said Monday he has no plans to seek public office again. "I'm still going to be involved in Democratic politics. As far as public service, I'm probably going to do it from the private sector."