Judge extends stalking order for mayor

Chittenden County Superior Court Judge Colin Owyang issued a ruling on October 15 that extends a temporary order against stalking. The order prevents Aryeh “Ari” Moskowitz from coming within six feet of Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak. The restriction remains in effect until June 2027.

The judge determined that Moskowitz had threatened or made threats against the mayor. This decision followed a hearing held on October 10. The initial stalking order was issued in June 2026. That was the same month Moskowitz was charged with criminal stalking and aggravated disorderly conduct. The charges stem from a series of attempts to engage with the mayor.

Since his arraignment, Moskowitz has been released on conditions that limit his contact with Mulvaney-Stanak. He cannot come near her home, car, or place of employment. He is also subject to a trespass order that bars him from city hall for 180 days, a rule that has been in place since early June.

The prosecution of the case has shifted between three state’s attorneys. Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George recused herself because Moskowitz had contacted her and she may serve as a witness. Franklin County State’s Attorney Bram Kranichfeld was initially tapped to take over the case while running against George in the Democratic primary. He also recused himself after citing his political relationship with the defendant. Lamoille County State’s Attorney Aliena Gerhard will now prosecute the case.

Mulvaney-Stanak first became aware of Moskowitz in early 2025. He attempted to contact her regarding an online interaction with a Chocolate Thunder employee over the Israel-Gaza conflict. Moskowitz has been a vocal critic of city policies on homelessness and drug use. He posted videos of people living on Burlington’s streets on his Instagram account, which has since been removed. He frequently attended City Council meetings before the trespass order took effect.

Judge Owyang reviewed two specific incidents to decide whether to extend the order. In January, Moskowitz approached the mayor at a neighborhood meeting on Pine Street. Mulvaney-Stanak said she feared for her safety and had to ask someone to escort her to her vehicle. A neighbor who provided the escort corroborated that the mayor felt threatened. In June, the mayor fled from Moskowitz and hid in the bathroom of a downtown restaurant. She was escorted back to city hall by security guards after breaking down in tears.

Interim Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke spoke with Moskowitz after the restaurant incident. Burke told him that his actions potentially crossed a line into criminality by making the mayor afraid. The judge noted that Burke’s testimony and that of the mayor’s executive assistant, Penny Powers, established that Moskowitz should have known his conduct put the mayor in fear.

In a statement issued after the October 10 hearing, Mulvaney-Stanak said Moskowitz targeted her because she is a woman. She stated that no political figure should have to experience this as the price for public service. Moskowitz’s attorney, Robert Kaplan, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. Moskowitz has raised nearly $8,000 through an online fundraiser for his legal defense.