May 24, 2006

Two Police Officers Arrested in Payroll Fraud

Charges brought against Highway Patrol officers

MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that Thomas Sirianni, 44, and Mary Ingargiola, 40, have been charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, in connection with their theft of unearned, paid-leave. The two defendants were police officers assigned to the Highway Patrol Bureau Time Office within the Nassau County Police Department.

“We rely on our hard-working officers to keep us safe,” said Rice. “The vast majority are honest, law-abiding citizens that would never cheat the system. Those that believe they are above the law will be prosecuted accordingly.”

Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence went on to say, "We cannot tolerate conduct that may diminish the reputation and hard work that is performed each and every day by the men and women of the Nassau County Police Department.”

The charges allege that SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 from May 3, 2000, to November 30, 2005, P.O. Thomas Sirianni was assigned as a time clerk to the Highway Patrol Bureau (“HPB”) Time Office. From May 2, 2003, to November 30, 2005, P.O. Mary Ingargiola was also assigned in the same capacity to the same office. Their duties included preparing time and leave records for bureau personnel. From on or about January 1, 2004, to October 14, 2005, Mr. Sirianni stole $20,474.05 and Ms. Ingargiola stole $9,446.97 from Nassau County by falsifying time and leave information so as to be compensated for periods during which they were not working, based on credits for hours of work that they had not actually performed.

This investigation was opened by the Highway Patrol command staff and later referred to the NCPD’s Internal Affairs Unit in December of 2005. At that time, the officers were moved from their assignment and last Friday they were suspended by NCPD. Both defendants surrendered this morning to the NCPD’s Internal Affairs Unit.

District Attorney Rice would like to thank the NCPD’s Internal Affairs Unit for their referral and assistance in this investigation. ADA Peter Mancuso assisted in the investigation and will handle the case for the District Attorney’s Office.

The defendants will be arraigned on the charges later today in First District Court, Hempstead. Mr. Sirianni is being represented by John Carman of Garden City. Ms. Ingargiola is being represented by Steven Barnwell of Mineola.

The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Name: Thomas Sirianni
Age: 44
Address: Police HQ (1490 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, NY)
Charges: Grand Larceny 3°

Name: Mary Ingargiola
Age: 40
Address: Police HQ (1490 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, NY)
Charges: Grand Larceny 3°