BUFFALO, N.Y.– Former City of Buffalo employee Franklin Lopez was sentenced to 12 months in prison and ordered to pay $69,000 in restitution for stealing thousands of dollars from city parking meters.
Lopez, 34, of Buffalo, N.Y., was convicted of stealing money from his position as a part-time coin collector in the City of Buffalo Department of Parking Enforcement between 2002 and 2011. During this time, he was responsible for collecting coins deposited into parking meters.
According to U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., Lopez’s thefts began as small amounts of money, but ultimately cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. Since Lopez’s removal from his position, the City of Buffalo has seen an increase of over $700,000 in parking meter revenues.
The investigation into Lopez’s crimes revealed that he had deposited over $1,300 in coins into his personal bank account on August 16, 2011. Further investigation of his banking records showed a substantial amount of cash deposits and cash payments for various items.
Between November 2002 and August 2011, Lopez stole approximately $69,000 from city parking meters. Lopez is the fourth employee of the Department of Parking Enforcement to be convicted and sentenced in this case.
His sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maura K. O’Donnell handled the case.
Lopez’s conviction is part of a larger pattern of corruption within the City of Buffalo Department of Parking Enforcement. In total, the amount of money proven to be stolen by convicted defendants exceeds $300,000.
This case serves as a warning to public officials who violate their duties to the public, said U.S. Attorney Hochul. The City of Buffalo will continue to pursue any official who engages in such behavior.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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