January 11, 2008

DOT Clerk Suspended in Cellphone Thefts

DOT Clerk Suspended in Cellphone Thefts

Jose Correa, 36, of Albany, was charged with grand larceny and falsifying business records following an investigation by the New York State Inspector General’s office.

Correa, a Senior Mail and Supply Clerk who worked at the state Department of Transportation since 1993, allegedly double-ordered more than 20 cell phones and accessories worth $4,000, then sold them privately and pocketed the cash.

He was arrested Jan. 9, 2008, on the felony charges by the Colonie Police Department and was suspended by DOT.

Correa ordered the extra equipment, charging it to the state, investigators found. The alleged thefts were first discovered when another employee took over the telephone orders and spotted discrepancies in Correa’s paper work. He was arraigned in Colonie Town Court and sent to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.

New York State Inspector General Kristine Hamann said the investigation is continuing and more charges are possible.

For more information, contact Kate Gurnett of the state Inspector General’s office at 474-1010 or Colonie Police Detective Lieutenant John Van Alstyne at 783- 2754.