State investigation of Hoosick Falls police chief ramps up

[TexasTowelie]

HOOSICK FALLS — The village police chief is under investigation by the State Police for allegedly taking confiscated fireworks for personal use and ensuring a police officer was reported as working when he was supposedly injured off the job, sources familiar with the probe confirmed.

Chief Robert Ashe, who aspires to run for Rensselaer County sheriff this year, was placed on a paid leave of absence by the village in December as the State Police investigation began to intensify. The case has been developing over the past two months and is expected to be presented to a recently empaneled Rensselaer County grand jury.

Ashe allegedly took the fireworks that had been confiscated by department personnel and set them off at a private party he hosted, sources said.

When a village officer was injured, Ashe allegedly had payroll records modified to show that the officer was working instead of being off the clock in order to secure benefits for him, sources said.

Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/State-investigation-of-Hoosick-Falls-police-chief-16814317.php

[stopdiggin]

1. were the fireworks supposed to be preserved

as evidence? The other thing is maybe a little bigger deal, but ..

(yeah, I do think LE should be expected to follow the law - but this sounds pretty much like 'slap on the wrist' type stuff .. )

[TexasTowelie]

2. The other thing is a much bigger deal,

namely fraud and possibly tampering with a government record. I wonder how an administrative or clerical employee would be disciplined if hey committed similar actions?

[stopdiggin]

3. quite true. and I agree.

Thinking this (fraud) is almost surely where the Bureau gets involved.
On the other hand - you make kind of a telling point in your response.
"how an administrative or clerical employee would be disciplined"
Indeed - and then let's have a look at what happens if it's the CEO, city manager - or head of the denomination ...