Wade St. Germain and his husband, RJ Baker, are openly gay business owners of Cabernet Frank’s, the bar and music venue in Parksville, NY.
For several years, they say they have been harassed by a neighbor for being gay, but that neighbor claims their dispute is not about sexual orientation.
The Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office confirms the couple has a restraining order against their neighbor, Joe Peters, and that there’s a long list of pending criminal charges.
But officials say there’s no evidence to show that any of the incidents are hate crimes and that Peters’ family says the incidents are part of a longtime dispute between both sets of neighbors over land and stray cats.
In the latest development, St. Germain and Baker have been ordered to appear in Liberty Town Court on Thursday, January 31, to face misdemeanor charges. And they say they plan to move out of the area.
Wade St. Germain spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.
UPDATE (Feb 2, 2024): The Sullivan County District Attorney has dismissed charges against St. Germain and Baker.