A former Town of Wright highway superintendent was arrested last week on charges of stealing diesel fuel from the highway department.
Harry Beninati, 54, was arrested on charges of first-degree falsifying business records, a felony, official misconduct and petty larceny, both misdemeanors, said the Cobleskill State Police.
Mr. Beninati was arrested Thursday after turning himself in. The arrest was made after a three-month investigation.
According to police, Mr. Beninati directed town employees to stop filling out fuel logs in order to conceal the larceny.
Because the fuel logs were not completed, officials were not able to account for 8,060 gallons of fuel purchased by the town during the time Mr. Beninati was highway superintendent in 2011, police said.
Falsifying business records with the intent to commit another crime made the charge a felony, police said.
Mr. Beninati, who lives on Pickett Hill Road, was processed at the Cobleskill barracks, police said, and issued an appearance ticket to return to the Town of Wright court later that evening.
The State Police were assisted by the Schoharie County District Attorney's office.