DOT Worker Accused Of Faking Timesheets, Stealing Over $12K: DA

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - A New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) worker was charged on Tuesday for allegedly falsifying timesheets to steal over $12,500 in wages from the state, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini.

Darlene Hanratty, 47, of Islip Terrace is charged with third degree grand larceny, third degree grand larceny as a public corruption offense and official misconduct, the DA said. Hanratty has worked for the DOT since 2007 and works as a highway maintenance supervisor.

"The public trusts our employees to do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay," New York State DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said. "When that public trust is violated, perpetrators must be held accountable."

Between May and September, Hanratty is accused of falsely claiming to have worked 338.75 hours that she did not actually work, according to the DA. As a result of the falsified time sheets, Hanratty was allegedly paid an extra $12,563.81, the DA said.

She was arraigned on the charges Tuesday and was released on her own recognizance. She is due back in court on Jan. 21, 2020.

If convicted, Hanratty faces a maximum sentence of two and one-third to seven years in prison.