MAN ACCUSED OF VIOLATING AN ORDER OF PROTECTION

William Osterer, was arrested yesterday and charged with criminal contempt in the second degree for allegedly violating a court order of protection.  Osterer, who ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for the 21st State Assembly District in 1990, surrendered to authorities about 8 a.m.  He was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead yesterday.  The amount of bail set and whether he was released could not be determined last night.  Osterer was arrested in 1996 on charges he sexually abused two girls, ages 10 and 8, who were visiting his home.  He pleaded guilty and in 1998 was sentenced to three years probation.  He was ordered to attend a treatment program and to stay away from children except his own and register as a violent sex offender.  A suit against a real estate brokerage was filed in June by a Baldwin couple, seeking $15 million in damages because they said they were not told that Osterer, a convicted sex offender, lived on the street where they bought a home.

(New York)