Auburn, NY -- Former Auburn Police Officer Brian K. Hutchings today was indicted on 10 new charges that accuse him of stealing thousands of dollars from the department’s Police Benevolent Association. The indictment Here is a filed today against Brian K. HutchingsThe indictment alleges Hutchings 48, of 72 Metcalf Drive, stole the money while he was treasurer of the...
Brian Hutchings
Auburn, NY -- Former Auburn Police Officer Brian K. Hutchings today was indicted on 10 new charges that accuse him of stealing thousands of dollars from the department’s Police Benevolent Association.
The indictment
Here is a copy of the indictment filed today against Brian K. HutchingsThe indictment alleges Hutchings 48, of 72 Metcalf Drive, stole the money while he was treasurer of the group between 2001 and 2008. PBA officials said some $75,000 was missing from their fund.
Hutchings faces up to seven years imprisonment on the most serious of those charges – third-degree grand larceny.
In a separate 11-count indictment, Hutchings was charged with more bribery and official misconduct crimes for allegedly tipping off a trucking company about when and where the state Department of Transportation would conduct roadside truck inspections. In return, the indictment alleges, Hutchings received personal services from that company at his residence.
“It’s always a sad day when a member of the criminal justice system is accused of a crime,’’ Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann said.
Hutchings was arraigned on both indictments today in county court. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his recognizance, a court clerk said.
Two months ago, Hutchings was indicted on 14 charges, which accused him of accepting bribes and misconduct for abusing his position for personal gain, officials said. He was also accused in that five-felony count indictment of trying to coerce a local, unnamed business to forgive a bill that he owed to the company.
The city fired Hutchings last month. He had been a police officer for 19 years and was making $56,141 a year at the time of his dismissal.
Tim Cottrell, president of the Auburn police officers union, said the arrest of Hutchings has worsened department morale, which he said stands at an all-time low. Police Chief Gary Giannotta declined comment and PBA President Chris White was unavailable.
The new indictments, which were made public today, charge Hutchings with felony first-degree scheme to defraud, felony third-degree grand larceny, three felony counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and five misdemeanor counts of petit larceny in the missing PBA money case.
In the other indictment, Hutchings is charged with felony charges of third-degree receiving a bribe and second-degree official misconduct for receiving a reward and nine official misconduct charges, all misdemeanors.
Budelmann said it is too early to talk about terms of imprisonment for Hutchings if he is found guilty but added he would seek restitution on behalf of the PBA.
He also said his investigation determined that no other police officers were involved in the case involving the missing money.
The PBA serves as the police department’s social organization.
You can reach Scott Rapp at srapp@syracuse.com or 289-4839.