2 sheriff’s deputies plead guilty to petit larceny
Tom Marano, Dean Covis admit to falsifying time sheets for security work while they were also on the clock for Sheriff’s Department
ALBION – Two Orleans County sheriff’s deputies pleaded guilty in County Court today to petit larceny and falsifying business records.
Dean Covis
Tom Marano and Dean Covis last July were indicted on felony grand larceny in the third degree after both were accused of falsifying time sheets when they were hired for security by Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners, which operates a hydroelectric plant in Waterport.
Marano and Covis submitted time sheets for Brookfield when they were allegedly also working shifts for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.
Both Marano and Covis have to pay restitution to Brookfield. As part of a plea deal today, the felony charges were reduced to a misdemeanor. There was no sentencing promises in court today. Judge Sara Sheldon said the charge carries a maximum of a year in jail.
Marano and Covis will both be sentenced on May 7.
Tom Marano
Covis, 53, admitted to filing false time sheets for about 690 hours at Brookfield from approximately Nov. 26, 2013 to Jan. 3, 2015. Covis agreed to pay $12,915 in restitution. He is disputing paying an additional $1,000 in restitution for $13,915 total.
Larry Friedman, the Genesee County district attorney, prosecuted the case for the Orleans DA’s Office. Friedman said he and Covis’s attorney would attempt to resolve the issue about the additional $1,000 in restitution.
Marano, 46, admitted to claiming 240 hours at Brookfield while he was on the clock working as a deputy between Jan. 12, 2014 and Jan. 1, 2015. He agreed to repay $4,800 in restitution.
The charges were refiled today after the original charges were dismissed over technicalities. Judge Sheldon said the spread sheet of time cards was not presented as evidence for the grand jury. There were also 192 counts or falsifying business records that should have been presented to grand jury with a vote on each count individually, Sheldon said.
The original indictment lists 140 counts of first-degree falsifying business records and one count of third-degree grand larceny against Covis. Marano faced 101 counts of falsifying business records and one count of third-degree grand larceny.
Both Covis and Marano are waiving their right to appeal as part of the plea. They have both been on unpaid leave, pending the outcome of the case.
