April 10, 2015
New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott announced the arrest of a New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) employee on charges he submitted fraudulent documentation purportedly signed by a physician requesting sick leave.
“The public rightly expects those employed by the State of New York to truthfully account for their time and attendance,” said Inspector General Scott. “State employees who submit falsified records to avoid their job responsibilities both violate this public trust and commit criminal acts. Such conduct has consequences, and this defendant will be held accountable for his alleged misconduct.”
Rodney Brinkman, 60, of Forestville, N.Y., a maintenance worker assigned to NYSDOT’s Chautauqua County Residency making $38,848 was charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class D felony. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Inspector General Scott’s investigation revealed that Brinkman, who had been previously counseled by NYSDOT for sick-leave abuse, submitted false documentation to NYSDOT indicating he was to be excused from work May 8, 2014. The Inspector General’s investigation found that the physician’s office did not provide the letter in question.
Brinkman was arraigned before the Hon. Anthony J. Pulci of Town of Pomfret Justice Court. He is scheduled to return to court at a later date.
Inspector General Scott thanked NYSDOT for its assistance in the investigation, Chautauqua County District Attorney David W. Foley for prosecuting this matter, and the New York State Police for the arrest.
The defendant is deemed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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