KENMORE: Village DPW employees charged with stealing inspection stickers

By Daniel Pye<br><a href="mailto:pyed@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Dan</a>
The Tonawanda News

September 17, 2008 01:27 am

— KENMORE — Two village employees and a relative were in Kenmore Village Court on Tuesday night, after police said that they put DPW inspection stickers on their personal cars.
Village Department of Public Works Superintendent John Neiss, chief mechanic William Fitzgibbons and Fitzgibbons’ son Ryan are facing charges in relation to improper use of DPW vehicle inspection stickers.
The DPW is licensed to perform inspections on village vehicles, but a tip to police indicated that Neiss and both Willian and Ryan Fitzgibbons had village-issued stickers on their personal vehicles, said Kenmore Police Chief Carl LaCorte.
“After we got word about what was happening, we conducted an investigation and arrested three people,” LaCorte said.
All three were charged with possession of stolen property, and William Fitzgibbons faces the additional charge of falsifying business documents for his role in getting the stickers for the other two men. Both Neiss and William Fitzgibbons are due back in court Oct. 21 after an adjournment by Judge Michael Kanaley.
LaCorte said the matter is concluded from the police department’s end. The mayor and village board must now decide how to handle the two employees. The village Board of Trustees convened an executive session Tuesday evening to discuss personnel matters, and Mayor Patrick Mang said he couldn’t discuss any possible ramifications to Neiss’ and Fitzgibbons’ employment with the village because proceedings are still ongoing.
Those charged left court their arraignment Tuesday night following before the Tonawanda News could question them.
Contact reporter Daniel Pyeat 693-1000, ext. 158.