Inspector General Tagliafierro Announces Guilty Plea of Finger Lakes-Based OPWDD Plumber Who Sold Scrap Metal on State Time

New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro today announced the guilty plea of a Finger Lakes-based New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Trade Specialist-Plumber/Steamfitter who used a State vehicle to conduct personal business during his work hours, and submitted false time reports and vehicle reports to hide his misconduct.

Kevin W. Clark, 60, of Hilton, pleaded guilty in Newark Village Court before Galen Town Justice Carol Heald to one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing (a misdemeanor). Clark is currently suspended from OPWDD.

Clark worked for OPWDD as a Trade Specialist-Plumber/Steamfitter based out of OPWDD’s Finger Lakes DDSO Newark Campus. The Inspector General’s investigation found that on four occasions between December 2017 and November 2018, Clark loaded an OPWDD van with scrap metal he claimed to have brought to work and then drove more than 20 miles to Alpco Recycling in Macedon, where he sold the scrap for more than $1,500.

Afterwards, Clark submitted falsified time sheets claiming to have worked these hours, as well as false vehicle logs to make it appear as if the State vehicle was only being used for official State business.

“This individual falsified documents to cover up engaging in a profit-making scheme while on state time,” said Inspector General Tagliafierro. “We demand and deserve accountability from the public employees we entrust with state resources.”

Inspector General Tagliafierro thanked OPWDD for its assistance with the investigation, the New York State Police for its assistance with the investigation and arrest, and Wayne County District Attorney Michael D. Calarco and his office for prosecuting this matter.

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