Ortloff allegedly molested two girls, viewed child pornography with undercover agent

ALBANY According to an 18-page detention memo made public by federal prosecutors Oct. 15, former Assemblyman George Chris Ortloff molested two young girls, viewed child pornography with an undercover agent, and assigned homework for pre-adolescent sex partners. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Spina said prosecutors released the document in an attempt to keep the 61-year-old Lake Placid native behind bars without bail. Ortloff was arrested Oct. 13 after federal marshals conducted a sting operation at an undisclosed motel near the Albany International Airport. Reports state Ortloff arranged a meeting with 11- and 12- year old sisters, and arrived possessing sex toys, lubricant and a video camera. According to court documents, Ortloff was buck naked when arrested. The documents also revealed Ortloffs interest in young children reaches back several years. Ortloff explained that a number of years ago, while he was an adult, he engaged in sexual acts with a 12-year-old girl and a nine-year-old girl, the memo reads. The undercover agent claimed to be the mother of two young girls, and met Ortloff at the airport. The two then traveled to the motel, where Ortloff proceeded to view child pornography with the officer, and showed her sex toys for his would-be partners. I want them to practice with them, he told the officer. Thats going to be their homework. The documents also revealed Ortloff told the agent he was not a pedophile. I always ask myself when Im doing something new, is this right or wrong? reads the document. Do I have a moral problem with this, and honestly I dont have a moral problem with this. Ortloff was first flagged as suspicious March 6, after a national watch-dog organization sent tips to investigators. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children learned someone was trafficking child pornography on America Online. The court papers noted the images were sent from a hotel room registered in Ortloffs name. In June, police located Ortloff in an on-line group, where he was attempting to locate younger families, and identified preteens as one of his interests. On Oct. 13, police conducted raids on Ortloffs Plattsburgh residence and his office at Coldwell Banker Whitbeck Associates, a real estate agency in Lake Placid where Ortloff is employed. A computer was seized during the search. Ortloff appeared in court the afternoon of Oct. 14, wearing a prison jumpsuit and handcuffs. After hearing the criminal complaint, he declined to enter a plea. Ortloffs attorney, Andrew Safranco, requested the scheduled Oct. 15 bail hearing be postponed so the defense could have time to review any evidence found during the subsequent searches of Ortloffs property. Safranco told the judge Ortloff was not a flight risk and presented no danger to the community. If convicted, Ortloff could face a minimum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. While serving as an assemblyman for the 114th Assembly District, Ortloff championed increasing penalties for those charged and/or convicted with sex crimes. Two years ago, former Gov. George Pataki appointed the 20-year assembly veteran to a part-time position on the 19-person state Parole Board, where he earned approximately $109,000 a year. Ortloff has also served as the chairman of the Clinton County Republican Committee, and currently sits on the board of trustees for the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. Ortloff resigned from his Parole Board post Oct. 15. Before his stint as an assemblyman, Ortloff worked for WPTZ Newschannel 5 as an anchorman and served as chief of ceremonies and awards for the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid. Adirondack Journal editor Thom Randall contributed to this report.

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Ortloff allegedly molested two girls, viewed child pornography with undercover agent

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