WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – What started as an alleged bribe complaint has expanded into a larger investigation. 7 News has learned state police are also looking into Watertown’s purchase of the Thomspon Park Golf Course.

When council was pulled into the mayor’s office to meet with seven state troopers and investigators, authorities had already collected more than 6,000 phone records and they wanted all council members’ cellphones to provide police with more pieces to the puzzle.

Tuesday night, Watertown’s city council meeting was called into session. Then, Mayor Sarah Pierce said, “Before we move on to the remainder of the agenda here I need to ask the council members to join me in my office briefly and we will be right back.”

Council members went into the mayor’s office and were behind closed doors for 90 minutes, but not in executive session, to meet with state police investigators from Syracuse and Albany. Council members were asked for their cellphones so information could be downloaded.

It’s part of a criminal investigation involving certain city council members and certain members of the public.

Former Mayor Jeff Smith told 7 News he filed the original complaint that started the investigation. It concerned an offer from developer PJ Simao to council that Smith considered a bribe. Simao disagrees.

But 7 News has learned the investigation has grown and now involves the city’s purchase of the golf course.

While in the mayor’s office Tuesday night, 7 News is told investigators explained to council members they had more than 6,000 cellphone records between past and present council members, and a certain member of the public regarding the golf course deal.

Four out of five council members turned over their phones.

Cliff Olney did not, saying he wanted to talk with his attorney first. His attorney, Stewart Weisman of the Syracuse area, says that was smart.

“People have a constitutional right to act as he did and there should be no idea created or implication that he has something to hide,” said Weisman.

It was also revealed that one-third of Olney’s cell phone conversations have been with Simao. Olney says that doesn’t indicate anything.

“PJ was helping to allow me to understand the deal better, some of the complexities that were involved in the golf course business. No influence,” said Olney.

Tuesday night, Olney and fellow Council Member Lisa Ruggiero told 7 News the private citizens who are part of the investigation are Simao and developer Mike Lundy. Both men benefited from the golf course sale. Lundy sold the Thompson Park Golf Course to the city and Simao was paid to put a 9-hole restriction on his golf course at the time, Ives Hill Country Club.

Both Lundy and Simao deny any wrongdoing.

Council Member Lisa Ruggiero said she has nothing to hide. She said she has disagreed with Simao on many issues.

She said in the past, she voted on a resolution to move forward with a lawsuit against Simao over his unpaid taxes on city property.

We asked state police for more clarity about this investigation. A spokesperson tells 7 News no specifics can be given at this time because it would compromise the integrity of the investigation.

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