Related Federal Cases
- Sununu Declares War on Trump’s GOP Grip · New Hampshire
- Wall Street Bailout: NY & CA Lose $2 Trillion · North Carolina
- “K Money” Crumbles: Wall St. Pretender Admits $2M Scam · New York
- PPE Lie: Edison Execs Plead Guilty to $10M Scam · Ohio
- NY Valet Scam: 37 Months for Fraud · Ohio
Parking Meter Thief Sentenced
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Francis Tronolone, 33, of Buffalo, N.Y., has pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars from the City of Buffalo.
Tronolone, a former coin collector and parking meter mechanic, stole approximately $9,000 in coins from city parking meters during his employment with the City of Buffalo’s Department of Parking Enforcement. The money was supposed to be deposited into the city treasury, but instead, Tronolone kept a small cooler in the back of his vehicle to conceal the stolen coins.
This is the third conviction in the case, with two other employees of the Department of Parking Enforcement previously convicted of stealing from city parking meters. James Bagarozzo was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $210,000 in restitution, while Lawrence Charles received six months in prison and was ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution. A fourth employee, Franklin Lopez, is still facing charges in connection with the case.
The investigation into the parking meter thefts was led by Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Buffalo Police Department. U.S. Attorney Hochul praised the work of the investigators, saying ‘Today’s developments mean that three different employees of the same City Department have now been convicted of collectively stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the residents of this area.’
Tronolone faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. His sentencing is set for [insert date].
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue this investigation until all those responsible are brought to justice. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
This case is a reminder that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will not tolerate corruption and will vigorously prosecute those who abuse their positions of trust.
Tronolone is just the latest in a string of corruption convictions in the City of Buffalo, highlighting the need for greater accountability and transparency in government.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
