Former State Employee Charged with Stealing Nearly $5,000 in Equipment and Supplies from Agency

New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott announced the arrest of a former New York Power Authority (NYPA) employee on charges he stole nearly $5,000 in equipment and supplies from NYPA.

“Public employees are entrusted to use equipment and supplies solely to accomplish their assigned task – and likewise must safeguard equipment and supplies from theft or abuse,” said Inspector General Scott. “The defendant is accused of taking numerous items important to the operations of the power plant where he worked. My investigation has uncovered that the defendant violated the public’s trust and he will be held accountable for his actions.”

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, whose office is prosecuting the case, said: "While the defendant is accused of stealing from his employer, his alleged actions impacted the public, as well. Workplace supplies are not freebies available to an employee for his personal use. The defendant now faces the consequences of his alleged acts. I thank Inspector General Scott and her staff for their important work on this case."

Robert Maier, an Operating Technician who reported to a NYPA power plant in Astoria, was charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Official Misconduct. NYPA had previously alerted Inspector General Scott's Office of this matter, leading to the Inspector General's investigation. NYPA terminated Maier's employment at the Authority and fully cooperated with the Inspector General's investigation. Maier's salary was $86,400.

Maier, 38, of Selden, is accused of stealing approximately 85 items from NYPA valued at $4,480.77. The items were generally meant for commercial and industrial use and included halogen lamps, respirator parts, air hoses, lock sets, sump pumps, kneeling pads and even Zip Loc bags.

Maier was arraigned before the Hon. Gia Morris of Queens County Criminal Court, and is scheduled to return to court December 4.

Inspector General Scott thanked the Investigations Division of the Queens District Attorney’s Office for arresting Maier, and Queens District Attorney Brown and his staff for prosecuting this matter.

The defendant is innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law.

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