Two Town of Herkimer employees are facing charges after an investigation into the alleged misuse of town property.
State Police say 44-year-old Kenneth Ward and 34-year-old Michael Walz, both from Herkimer, were arrested Wednesday and charged with official misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor.
The arrests follow an 11-month investigation launched after town officials and the Herkimer County District Attorney’s Office were alerted to a possible larceny within the Highway Department.
Investigators say Ward and Walz were aware that town-owned materials — including replaced water meters and other scrap items dropped off by residents during cleanup days — were being taken and sold for cash at Mohawk Valley Recycling. The money, according to police, was then kept in a box and used for non-town-related expenses.
Officials couldn’t determine exactly how much money was involved.
Ward and Walz were processed and released with appearance tickets. They’re scheduled to appear in Town of Herkimer Court on December 9.
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