New York State Police Mechanics Plead Guilty to Felony

Two New York State Police mechanics pleaded guilty to felony in September for theft of auto parts and tools, the New York State Comptroller’s office announced.

Former state police mechanic Jeffrey Rapasadi has pleaded guilty to corrupting the government in the third degree, a felony, and petit larceny, a misdemeanor. At the time of his plea, he paid back $12,865 in restitution and was placed on interim probation.

David Relyea, also a former state police mechanic, pleaded guilty to felony corrupting the government for the theft of more than $24,000 in auto parts and supplies from the state. As part of his plea, Relyea paid back $20,000.  

Rapasadi, 57, and Relyea, 64, were non-sworn civilian employees responsible for maintaining police vehicles for the Troop D headquarters.

The thefts took place between April 2015 and October 2020. Analysis of thousands of United Auto Supply invoices found that in that time, there were over $54,000 in inappropriate purchases on the state police account.

Rapasadi was convicted of ordering auto parts and tools for personal use on the state police-paid account at United Auto Supply.

Relyea, who owns an auto repair business on the side, allegedly used the parts he stole from the police garage to subsidize his personal business.

State police said they recovered more than $24,000 of police property at Relyea’s home and more than $4,800 worth of state-funded auto supplies, tools, and parts at Rapasadi’s home.

Both Relyea and Rapasadi retired during the investigation and were not employed with the state police at the time of their arrests. Relyea retired from state service in October 2020 and Rapasadi retired in November 2020. They were both employed by the state police for at least 30 years.

They are due back in court in December.