Town board member charged with murder lived "double life", court documents show

Joseph Mlyniec, a Perry Town Board Member, lived a "double life" for years, according to a motion filed in Wyoming County Court by District Attorney Donald O'Geen.

Mlyniec would "lure troubled young men to his farm, then groom them for sexual favors and in return provide them money, food, or both," the document alleges, while publicly living as a happily married man.

On March 9, Mlyniec shot and killed Robert Irvine outside his home on Route 246, according to police. Mlyniec has since been charged with second degree murder.

This apparent "second life" was successfully kept secret until a rape allegation was made to New York State Police. State Police had interviewed Mlyniec at the end of 2017.

According to the court document, investigators believe Irvine and Mlyniec had a sexual relationship in the past and "numerous witnesses" described the board member's history of abusing young men.

"It's very rare for our small town," Jim Brick, town supervisor, explained. "It was a shock to everybody on the town board and everybody in the town."

Mlyniec is still being paid monthly by the town, a little less than $200, for his position as a board member. (Update: According to Mlyniec's lawyer, a letter of resignation has been submitted to the Town of Perry as of April 15th, three days after this article was initially posted.) Unless he is convicted of a felony or crime in violation of his oath of office, there is no way to remove Mlyniec from the board.

"Why would you get paid for just sitting in jail," Joanna Urbanik, who lives in Perry, said. "That, to me, baffles me."

The town has asked Mlyniec to resign and has sent a letter to his attorney, Norman Effman, requesting the same. He has not resigned.

Effman has not responded to the town's request or 7 Eyewitness News' request for comment.