2 Orleans deputies arraigned on fraud for fake time sheets for security work
ALBION – Two long-time Orleans County deputies were arraigned in Orleans County Court this morning on charges of first-degree grand larceny and first-degree falsifying business records.
Covis
Sgt. Dean Covis and Deputy Thomas Marano both entered not guilty pleas. They are accused of submitting false time sheets and collecting about $18,000 they weren’t entitled to for part-time security work for Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners, which runs power plants in Orleans County at the Waterport Dam and in Medina.
Marano
The deputies were allegedly collecting their $20 an hour pay for the security work while they were also on the clock for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office from November 2013 to January 2015. Covis received about $14,000 and Marano about $4,000 for the security work while they were also working shifts for the Sheriff’s Office, according to The Daily News in Batavia.
The State Police handled the investigation and made the arrests on Monday, The Daily News reported.
Both have been suspended, Sheriff Randy Bower said.
“It is with great disappointment that I announce the arrest of two members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office,” Bower said in a statement. “The arrest of Thomas Marano and Dean Covis, both Deputy Sheriffs, stemmed from a lengthy investigation into alleged conduct by the above named deputies during 2013 and 2014. The New York State Police conducted the investigation along with a Special Prosecutor assigned to the case.”
Bower said the Sheriff’s Office is conducting its own internal investigation in the matter.
Sara Sheldon of Niagara County is serving as judge in the case with Lawrence Friedman, the Genesee County district attorney, serving as prosecutor.
