Former New Canaan Schools Food Service Director Arrested: Police

NEW CANAAN, CT — The former food services director for New Canaan Public Schools has been arrested on a warrant in connection with last year's theft of nearly $480,000 from the district, according to New Canaan police.

Sixty-one-year-old Bruce Gluck, who is now living in Middletown Springs, VT, was charged with first-degree larceny - defrauding a public community, conspiracy and tampering with evidence. He was released after posting a $25,000 surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Superior Court later this month.

Gluck is accused of conspiring with sisters Joanne Pascarelli and Marie Wilson, who both formerly worked for the school system - Pascarelli at Saxe Middle School and Wilson at New Canaan High School - and were arrested last year.

The police investigation began in December of 2017 after the New Canaan Board of Education filed a complaint with the department that financial discrepancies had been discovered in connection with the cafeterias at both schools.

According to New Canaan police:

Investigators monitored both cafeteria operations and interviewed multiple cafeteria workers over the course of several months. The investigation involved:

1. Conducting approximately twenty interviews;

2. Examining Financial Records and Other Evidence;

3. Consulting with the Stamford State’s Attorney;

4. Applying for arrest warrants.

For the five-year period of 2012-2017 approximately $478,588 in cash was misappropriated. While the theft of funds may have occurred prior to 2012, the investigation did not focus on these years (prior to 2012) due to direction by the state’s attorney’s office because of statutes of limitation.

Based on all the facts and evidence gathered during this investigation, Pascarelli and Wilson were arrested in August of last year each on a charge of first-degree larceny - defrauding a public community. Both cases are still pending in Stamford Superior Court.

Soon the investigation also turned to Gluck, according to police.

"Further examination of bank and other records, as well statements gathered in the first phase of the investigation, identified Food Services Director Bruce Gluck as another suspect," stated New Canaan police. "Among other findings, banking records showed that Gluck made large cash deposits during the theft time frame. The overwhelming majority of these deposits were made during the school year and tapered off markedly when school was not in session. Continuing the established pattern, upon Gluck's retirement, daily money intake totals increased dramatically. The investigation showed that Gluck conspired with Pascarelli and Wilson to steal Town monies."