The 18-year-old high school senior who challenged Carl Paladino for a seat on the Buffalo School Board is now facing criminal charges.
Buffalo Police have charged Austin Harig with unlawfully dealing with a child and criminal nuisance. Investigators say he provided alcohol to two 17-year-olds at his home on Zittel Street early Wednesday morning. According to police, Harig also allowed marijuana to be smoked at his residence. A stolen stop sign was also found at his address.
Harig tells 7 Eyewitness News he is innocent. He said the stolen sign was nothing more than a teenage prank.
"I'm going to go to the court and plead not guilty and hopefully get the charges dismissed because this is just bogus," Harig said. "I didn't do anything wrong besides help a kid."
Harig is due back in court to face the charges at a later date.
