Inspector General Reports Arrest of Department of Environmental Conservation Employee

ALBANY, NY (04/16/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State Inspector General announced the arrest Tuesday of a State Department of Environmental Conservation employee for using a state credit card to pay for more than $4,400 in unauthorized charges including rental cars, hotel rooms, gasoline, beer and cigarettes.

David Plume, 48, a Database Analyst at DEC earning $71,732, was charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Defrauding the Government, and Official Misconduct in Albany City Court. Plume logged 55 improper charges from Dec. 27, 2007 until March 4, 2008, when DEC deactivated the card. The $4,466 bill includes more than $1,100 to National Rental Car, more than $930 in hotel bills in Albany and Lakeville, CT, as well as restaurants, food and sundries. Plume also rented a small pull-trailer from U-Haul.

Plume made the credit card charges while he was out on sick leave. A 26-year state employee, he has worked for DEC since 2005.

Acting New York State Inspector General Dennis E. Martin said: “A state credit card is not a license to steal. It is never acceptable for taxpayer funds to be used for personal gain.”

New York State Police assisted the Inspector General’s Office, arresting Plume on Tuesday when he appeared in Bethlehem Town Court on unrelated charges. Bethlehem Police and the DEC Office of Internal Audit and Investigation also assisted in the investigation. DEC referred the matter to the Inspector General after becoming aware of Plume’s alleged activities.

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