A former state police mechanic pleaded responsible Thursday to third-degree felony corrupting the federal government for the theft of greater than $24,000 in auto components and provides, state officers stated.
David Relyea, 64, of Canastota, was a non-sworn civilian worker accused of stealing the parts and supplies between April 2015 and October 2020, based on a information launch issued by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
Relyea and one other former mechanic, Jeffrey Rapasadi, 57, of Canastota, have been answerable for sustaining police autos for the Troop D headquarters in Oneida, the comptroller’s workplace stated. The 2 males have been charged in Could.
Greater than $24,000 of police property was discovered at Relyea’s dwelling and greater than $4,800 value of state funded auto provides, instruments and components have been discovered at Rapasadi’s dwelling, based on the comptroller’s workplace.
Relyea was accused of utilizing the components he stole from the police storage for an auto restore enterprise he owns on the aspect, the comptroller’s workplace stated.
Relyea was charged with eight felony and three misdemeanor fees together with corrupting the federal government, grand larceny, prison possession of stolen property and official misconduct, based on the comptroller’s workplace. He was sentenced to interim felony probation.
As a part of his plea, Relyea has already paid again $20,000, the comptroller’s workplace stated.
Each Relyea and Rapasadi retired through the investigation and weren’t employed by state police on the time of their arrests, based on the comptroller’s workplace. They have been each employed by the state for no less than 30 years, the comptroller’s workplace stated.
Relyea appeared earlier than Decide Patrick J. O’Sullivan in Madison County Court docket., and he’s scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 2, based on the comptroller’s workplace.
The arrest was the results of a joint investigation between the state comptroller’s workplace, state police and Madison County District Lawyer William Gabor.
Employees author James McClendon covers breaking information, crime and public security. Have a tip, a narrative thought, a query or a remark? Attain him at 914-204-2815 or jmcclendon@syracuse.com.
