NORWICH – Two employees of Opportunities for Chenango were arrested Wednesday, accused of stealing more than $2,000 worth of building supplies and other items from the organization’s low income Weatherization Assistance program.
Norwich City Police arrested 31-year-old Kim P. Slater Jr. and 21-year-old Thomas M.W. Demuth over the charges of fourth degree grand larceny, a felony.
According to the felony complaint filed with the Norwich City Court Clerk, the men are accused of stealing at least $2,163 worth of material from their employer, OFC.
District Attorney Joseph McBride said the men removed building and other materials from OFC while on the job. Both were released and are scheduled to appear in Norwich City Court at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
OFC Executive Director Wayne Viera said the agency detected internal “inventory irregularities” that led to supervisors contacting police.
Viera took over as director Monday and was formerly the manager of the agency’s housing services.
He said both men had been suspended from work Thursday and other restrictions had been placed on the two, pending developments in the case. He also said that the men worked for the organization for “a period between one and three years.”
According to the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the Weatheriztion Assistance Program “assists income-eligible families by improving their homes through energy efficiency measures.”
“Program services are available to both homeowners and renters, with priority given to senior citizens, families with children and persons with disabilities.”