Council VP Larry Stoudt Enters First-Time Offenders Program

A Nazareth councilman charged with trying to interfere with a state police undercover investigation has entered a first-time offenders program, according to a report in The Express-Times.

Assistant District Attorney Connie Nelson previously said her office would not oppose Stoudt’s application for the accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD) program.

The Express-Times report says Stoudt paid $763.50 in fines.

Stoudt was charged Oct. 9 with allegedly trying to interfere with a state police undercover investigation. According to a criminal complaint, he allegedly asked police chief Thomas Trachta to run the driver's license of a suspected liquor enforcement officer in an attempt to protect the local American Legion post from undercover, prying eyes.

At his preliminary hearing, District Judge Jackie Taschner of Palmer Township ordered Stoudt to stay out of the borough police station.

Two days after Trachta demanded the vice president of Council resign from his post, a Patch reporter asked Stoudt about his future plans.

"I plan to stay right here," he said after Council's Nov. 29 workshop.

When a borough resident asked for an apology and some accountability from two Nazareth Borough Council members -- Chris Audenried pleaded guilty to public drunkenness on Jan. 24 -- she was told, "He who lives in a glass house shouldn't throw stones."