Lewis County Legislator Joyce Hoch is one of two women charged in connection with an underage drinking event in the town of Grieg.
Hoch, 55, of Watson and 19 year old Meghann Malik of Martinsburg are both charged with unlawfully dealing with a child, a class "A" misdemeanor.
A month-long investigation by State Police determined that Hoch was the sole adult chaperone at a Venture Scouting sleep over at a camp in Greig during the weekend of November 13-15th.
Lowville Academy officials became aware of the drinking by nine of their students at the event and contacted police, State Police said.
Hoch permitted and supplied beer and alcohol for consumption by the minors, police said. Ms. Malik also allegedly supplied beer for the students, ages 15-19.
Hoch and Malik were arrested on December 24th and issued appearance tickets returnable to town of Greig Court on January 12th.
Hoch lost her reelection bid in the November election to Paul Stanford, 327 to 321 and leaves office at the end of December.
She chaired the Social Services committee on the Lewis County Board of Legislators.
She is also a secretary in the Lowville Academy and Central School District. District officials have refused to say whether any disciplinary action has been taken against her.
