Ex-Greene Chief Pleads In Broome Court
Published: September 16th, 2014
By: Matthew White

GREENE – Erstwhile Village of Greene Police Chief Stephen Dutcher pleaded guilty on Monday to two counts of official misconduct and one count of second-degree criminal contempt.

Dutcher, 43, of Greene, was arrested earlier in 2014 after state police responded to a request from Greene village officials to look into a complaint of missing village property.

Dutcher was head of the Village of Greene Police Department for nearly 10 years after serving two years as night patrolman with the village.

Official misconduct charges originated from Dutcher’s purchase of tires and a vacuum cleaner for his personal use using village funds, according to the Broome County District Attorney’s Office, which served as special prosecutor in the case.

Using village funds, Dutcher purchased four Goodyear Ultra Grip tires valued at more than $500, and used them on his personal vehicle. Moreover, the former chief took a village-owned vacuum cleaner, and kept it for his personal use.

For the criminal contempt charge, prosecutors attribute a violation by Dutcher of an active order of protection in favor of his estranged wife.

Story Continues Below Adverts

Monday’s pleas by Dutcher also dropped additional charges related to the illegal transaction of firearms, and other village-owned property by the accused.

Dutcher was initially charged by state police for illegally possessing two village-owned police rifles in 2005 and 2006, and selling them to unnamed persons for an estimated $600 each. He likewise failed to reimburse the village for those transactions.

TO READ THE FULL STORY

The Evening Sun

Continue reading your article with a Premium Evesun Membership

View Membership Options




Comments