Developer Appears In Court On Corruption Charges

An Albany area developer charged in a bid-rigging scheme was in court today.

Joe Nicolla, who runs Columbia Development, was arraigned on corruption charges.

Nicolla's attorney entered a not guilty plea on behalf of his client.

The state alleges that Nicolla and SUNY Polytechnic Institute President Alain Kaloyeros engaged in restraint of trade in a bid-rigging scheme where construction contracts were steered towards certain companies.

If convicted of the charges, Nicolla faces up to four years in prison.