NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Second Former Mechanic at State Police Garage Pleads Guilty to Felony

 

Civilian Mechanic Charged Thousands of Dollars' Worth of Auto Parts and Tools to State Police Account

 State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Madison County District Attorney William Gabor and New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen today announced that former state police mechanic Jeffrey Rapasadi has pleaded guilty to corrupting the government in the third degree, a felony, and petit larceny, a misdemeanor.  At the time of his plea, he paid back $12,865 in restitution and was placed on interim probation.

This is the second guilty plea that has resulted from their joint investigation.    

"Mr. Rapasadi betrayed the taxpayers by stealing resources meant to protect the public to fund his personal interests,” DiNapoli said. “Thanks to our partnership with the New York State Police and the Madison County District Attorney’s Office, he has been brought to justice.”

“This person was entrusted with maintaining a fleet of patrol vehicles used by State Troopers, but our investigation uncovered that he was using State Police resources for personal use including operation of a side business,” said Superintendent Bruen. “Integrity is a core value of our agency, and any employee found to be breaking the law will be held fully accountable.”

Rapasadi, 57, of Canastota was one of two non-sworn civilian employees responsible for maintaining police vehicles for the Troop D headquarters based in Oneida. Rapasadi was convicted of ordering auto parts and tools for personal use on the state police-paid account at United Auto Supply.

DiNapoli’s analysis of thousands of United Auto Supply invoices found that between April 2015 and October 2020, there were over $54,000 in inappropriate purchases on the state police account.

David Relyea, 64 also of Canastota pleaded guilty in early September to felony corrupting the government in the third degree and was sentenced to interim felony probation.  As part of his plea, Relyea paid back $20,000. He is due back in court for sentencing in December.

State police said they recovered more than $4,800 worth of state funded auto supplies, tools and parts at Rapasadi’s home.

Rapasadi retired during the investigation and was not employed with the state police at the time of his arrest. Rapasadi retired from state service on Nov. 12, 2020. He was employed by the state police for at least 30 years.   

Rapasadi appeared before Judge Patrick O’Sullivan in Madison County Court. He is due back in court on Dec. 2.