Former Gettysburg police officer pleads not guilty to charges of recording fellow cop

The Evening Sun

Former Gettysburg police officer Michael Carricato pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges including an alleged violation of Pennsylvania's Wiretap Act.

Carricato, 28, was charged with the felony in November, along with a misdemeanor charge of official oppression, according to Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett.

Sinnett's office began a criminal investigation into Carricato after Gettysburg Chief Joseph Dougherty contacted the office March 8. Dougherty told investigators he suspected the officer had recorded another member of the department, Brandi Courtesis, without her knowledge or consent, according to an affidavit filed with Magisterial District Judge Matthew Harvey's office.

Dougherty handed investigators a thumb drive containing a video and audio recording that came from a police department computer, the affidavit states.

Courtesis also filed a lawsuit against the former officer, Dougherty, the Gettysburg Borough and supervisor Sgt. Larry Weikert in February for alleged gender discrimination.

In the lawsuit, Courtesis described a similar encounter with Carricato where she said the officer allegedly filmed without her consent.

The suit was settled in June for $213,000, and Courtesis resigned from her position as part of the agreement. Carricato was fired from the force Nov. 13.