ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE [AI] IS NOT USED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN PREPARING NYPPL SUMMARIES OF JUDICIAL AND QUASI-JUDICIAL DECISIONS

March 21, 2022

Former Village of Rhinebeck, New York employee arrested for working side job on the Village's time

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and the New York State Police, reported the arrest of former Village of Rhinebeck Superintendent of Public Works John J. Fenton, Jr., on six counts, including grand larceny, falsifying business records and corrupting the government in the 3rd degree. The arrest was a result of a joint investigation between DiNapoli’s Office, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York State Police.

While a full-time employee with the Village of Rhinebeck, Fenton obtained part-time zoning and code enforcement and building inspection employment with the Town of Rhinebeck, the Village of Tivoli, the Town of Red Hook and the Town of Clinton. In addition to his public employment, Fenton conducted home inspections for his two private companies.

Fenton allegedly left during the workday while working for the Village of Rhinebeck to work for the other municipalities and then falsified timesheets submitted to Red Hook to hide his double-dipping. Fenton also falsified mileage reimbursement requests to Red Hook in order to receive improper payments. In addition Fenton allegedly used the village’s office and other resources to work his various side jobs. As a result, he allegedly stole $2,697 from the Village of Rhinebeck and $2,978 from the Town of Red Hook.

“Mr. Fenton allegedly cheated the taxpayers of multiple municipalities to line his own pocket,” DiNapoli said. “I thank Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady and the New York State Police for partnering with my office to hold him accountable.”

Fenton was allegedly stealing from taxpayers for his own benefit by falsifying his timesheets, said New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen. “We have no tolerance for any type of public corruption, and I commend the New York State Comptroller’s Office, our State Police members, and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office for their combined effort in exposing this fraud.” 

Fenton was arrested and released on an appearance ticket and is due back in court on April 7th.    

###

 Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at investigations@osc.ny.gov, or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.

CAUTION

Subsequent court and administrative rulings, or changes to laws, rules and regulations may have modified or clarified or vacated or reversed the information and, or, decisions summarized in NYPPL. For example, New York State Department of Civil Service's Advisory Memorandum 24-08 reflects changes required as the result of certain amendments to §72 of the New York State Civil Service Law to take effect January 1, 2025 [See Chapter 306 of the Laws of 2024]. Advisory Memorandum 24-08 in PDF format is posted on the Internet at https://www.cs.ny.gov/ssd/pdf/AM24-08Combined.pdf. Accordingly, the information and case summaries should be Shepardized® or otherwise checked to make certain that the most recent information is being considered by the reader.
THE MATERIAL ON THIS WEBSITE IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. AGAIN, CHANGES IN LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS AND NEW COURT AND ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS MAY AFFECT THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS LAWBLOG. THE MATERIAL PRESENTED IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE AND THE USE OF ANY MATERIAL POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE, OR CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING SUCH MATERIAL, DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.
NYPPL Blogger Harvey Randall served as Principal Attorney, New York State Department of Civil Service; Director of Personnel, SUNY Central Administration; Director of Research, Governor’s Office of Employee Relations; and Staff Judge Advocate General, New York Guard. Consistent with the Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations, the material posted to this blog is presented with the understanding that neither the publisher nor NYPPL and, or, its staff and contributors are providing legal advice to the reader and in the event legal or other expert assistance is needed, the reader is urged to seek such advice from a knowledgeable professional.
New York Public Personnel Law. Email: publications@nycap.rr.com