Politics & Government

Harrison Fires 3 Employees Charged In Pantry Theft

The decision was made in an executive session following Thursday evening's town board meeting.

In a sudden turn in events the Town/Village of Harrison has terminated the employment of three full-time workers who allegedly , leaving only one of the six arrested suspended without pay.

Jack Arcara, 48, Joseph Arcara, 54, and Adam Straface, 26, have been terminated with cause, according to a statement released by the town Friday.

The board approved the decision unanimously in an executive session meeting Thursday night, all three had been suspended without pay. The resignations of part-time employees Florence D’Imperio, 90, and Sherry Toplyn, 58, were also approved Thursday.

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The board will retain a hearing officer to hear charges filed against William D’Imperio, 60, in accordance with the CSEA Foreman's collective bargaining agreement with the town. The board will not take immediate action against William D’Imperio until the charges are heard by that officer, according to the town's statement.

The decision was made after the town/village board reviewed video evidence of the alleged thefts taking place. That evidence was collected by the Harrison Police Department during a two-month investigation.

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Town officials had asked the public's patience while cases against the six employees went to court, hinting that immediate action by the board would be unlikely. 

"These past few weeks have been a sad time for the people of Harrison and a difficult one for the honest and hard-working employees of Harrison," Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh said in a statement. "We want to reassure the people who have given so generously in the past to the food pantry that the town/village board is taking the necessary steps to ensure that these actions cannot happen again in the future."

Walsh was not immediately available for further comment Friday afternoon.

All of the employees have been notified of the decision, according to the statement. Executive session meetings are not open to the public.

The six then-employees were following a two-month police investigation. Police say the six took food and clothing from the Harrison Food Pantry. Days after the arrests the  Jack Arcara, Joseph Arcara, William D’Imperio and Straface without pay. Toplyn and Florence D’Imperio resigned from their positions.

Last week police against Florence D’Imperio and Joseph Arcara, both now face a charge of third-degree burglary—a class D felony. In addition to the felony charges, Florence D’Imperio faces a charge of official misconduct along with eight counts of petit larceny. Joseph Arcara faces six counts of petit larceny.

Toplyn and Jack Arcara face five counts of petit larceny, William D’Imperio faces two counts and Straface faces a single count.

All six to all charges Tuesday in Harrison Court.

More to come as this story develops.


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