Dutchess County Dad Accused of Lying About Address to Get Kids Into School

A Dutchess County parent is facing serious charges after police say he lied about where he lived so his kids could attend a different school district.

Most Hudson Valley parents understand that when it comes to sending their children to school, they only have a few options. You can choose to send them to a private school, which can be expensive, or you can send them to one of the schools in the district where you reside. For the most part, those are really the only legal options. Unless you attempt to manipulate the system, similar to what a parent allegedly did in Dutchess County, NY.

School District Drama Leads to Arrest

According to a press release from the New York State Police, a lengthy investigation has led to the arrest of a 48-year-old Dutchess County man who allegedly falsified records so his children could attend a different school district.

State Police said the investigation began back in 2024 when the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in Rhinebeck received a report about possible falsified records in the Town of Red Hook.

Man Arrested After Lying About Where He Lives in Dutchess County, NY

After investigating, police arrested 48-year-old Michael Cola, of Milan, New York, charging him with grand larceny and falsifying business records, both felonies.

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Investigators say Cola allegedly provided documents claiming he lived in the Town of Red Hook so his children could attend the Red Hook Central School District. However, authorities say the children actually live in the Pine Plains Central School District and should have been enrolled there instead.

According to police, the Red Hook Central School District reported a financial loss totaling $59,327.30 related to the situation.

Cola was arrested on March 5, 2026, and later released with an appearance ticket. He is scheduled to appear in Red Hook Town Court on March 28, 2026, at 4 p.m.