Post by WaTcHeR on Sept 2, 2006 11:28:19 GMT -5
09.02.2006 - AUBURN - The attorney for a former Cayuga County sheriff's deputy handed a check to Cayuga County Attorney Fred Westphal made out for $9,781.28.
That was the amount Officer John J. Schlegel defrauded from county taxpayers by filing claims for overtime hours that he didn't work in 2005. He bilked 92 and a half straight overtime hours and 246 premium overtime hours.
Officer Schlegel was sentenced in Cayuga County Court Thursday for the felony crime of fourth-degree grand larceny. Judge Peter Corning sentenced him to pay restitution and to serve five years probation.
Schlegel's attorney, Paul Carey, of Syracuse, had asked for a conditional discharge for Schlegel, but Corning moved closer to prosecutor Jennifer Whitman's recommendation of probation, community service and restitution.
“They say the darkest point in a person's life is when they sit down to get money for something they didn't do,” Corning said. “That's a reason, not an excuse.”
Schlegel cracked under the pressures of family problems, back payments owed on a mortgage and other bills, and an on-job fatal incident that he blamed himself for, Carey said.
“His records show he was one of the department's best. With the trauma police officers deal with every day, they also need help,” Carey said.
“Fifty percent of people get divorced in this country and they don't steal from their employer,” said Whitman, a Monroe County Special Assistant District Attorney.
“He was a public officer, a public servant,” Whitman added. “He stole money from the very taxpayers he was sworn to protect.”
Schlegel apologized to his family, to the community and to his fellow officers. He said he has been seeing two separate therapists over the last year, which has helped him find the “real John Schlegel” again.
“I hope the community will try to understand the personal and professional stresses police officers go through,” Schlegel said. “I had several commendations in my personnel file. Unfortunately, I won't be remembered for the good things I did over 20 years, except for the one bad thing. I'm truly sorry.”
Schlegel served on the county's SWAT team and ran its Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.
Corning said he would consider a certificate of relief for Schlegel - who is now employed in quality control for a potato producer - which would allow him to obtain a gun license and apply for some professional licenses.
Schlegel, a 21-year veteran of the department's patrol division, was arrested Nov. 15 by co-workers after Lt. Jim Langler found a discrepancy in Schlegel's overtime slips. Within a week, Schlegel resigned.
An outside prosecutor was sought last fall by former Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Herb Marshall. Marshall had tried two different agencies before turning over documents alleging payroll fraud by other sheriff's employees to Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason.
Vargason sought a special prosecutor - which Corning granted in December - to prosecute Schlegel and investigate the allegations of overtime fraud by other employees.
The investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, along with the New York State Police, is continuing, Whitman said.
She said she hoped that the investigation would conclude soon, but it is her office's policy to not comment on open investigations.
www.auburnpub.com/articles/2006/09/02/news/local_news/news02.txt
That was the amount Officer John J. Schlegel defrauded from county taxpayers by filing claims for overtime hours that he didn't work in 2005. He bilked 92 and a half straight overtime hours and 246 premium overtime hours.
Officer Schlegel was sentenced in Cayuga County Court Thursday for the felony crime of fourth-degree grand larceny. Judge Peter Corning sentenced him to pay restitution and to serve five years probation.
Schlegel's attorney, Paul Carey, of Syracuse, had asked for a conditional discharge for Schlegel, but Corning moved closer to prosecutor Jennifer Whitman's recommendation of probation, community service and restitution.
“They say the darkest point in a person's life is when they sit down to get money for something they didn't do,” Corning said. “That's a reason, not an excuse.”
Schlegel cracked under the pressures of family problems, back payments owed on a mortgage and other bills, and an on-job fatal incident that he blamed himself for, Carey said.
“His records show he was one of the department's best. With the trauma police officers deal with every day, they also need help,” Carey said.
“Fifty percent of people get divorced in this country and they don't steal from their employer,” said Whitman, a Monroe County Special Assistant District Attorney.
“He was a public officer, a public servant,” Whitman added. “He stole money from the very taxpayers he was sworn to protect.”
Schlegel apologized to his family, to the community and to his fellow officers. He said he has been seeing two separate therapists over the last year, which has helped him find the “real John Schlegel” again.
“I hope the community will try to understand the personal and professional stresses police officers go through,” Schlegel said. “I had several commendations in my personnel file. Unfortunately, I won't be remembered for the good things I did over 20 years, except for the one bad thing. I'm truly sorry.”
Schlegel served on the county's SWAT team and ran its Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.
Corning said he would consider a certificate of relief for Schlegel - who is now employed in quality control for a potato producer - which would allow him to obtain a gun license and apply for some professional licenses.
Schlegel, a 21-year veteran of the department's patrol division, was arrested Nov. 15 by co-workers after Lt. Jim Langler found a discrepancy in Schlegel's overtime slips. Within a week, Schlegel resigned.
An outside prosecutor was sought last fall by former Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Herb Marshall. Marshall had tried two different agencies before turning over documents alleging payroll fraud by other sheriff's employees to Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason.
Vargason sought a special prosecutor - which Corning granted in December - to prosecute Schlegel and investigate the allegations of overtime fraud by other employees.
The investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, along with the New York State Police, is continuing, Whitman said.
She said she hoped that the investigation would conclude soon, but it is her office's policy to not comment on open investigations.
www.auburnpub.com/articles/2006/09/02/news/local_news/news02.txt