A former village mayor now faces felony charges tied to an alleged scheme involving falsified time records and retirement benefits.
Richard Scholl, the former mayor of the Village of Dannemora, was charged with tampering with public records and falsifying business records, according to State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and state and local prosecutors.
Investigators say Scholl falsified village timesheets to make it appear that state correction officers worked as village employees before retirement. The alleged goal was to help some officers qualify for more generous retirement benefits through a municipal plan.
“Richard Scholl allegedly abused his position of trust to subsidize village work at the expense of the retirement system and its members,” DiNapoli said. “I will continue to safeguard the retirement system and root out those who attempt to defraud it.”
Officials said some correction officers with long careers can receive higher benefits if they retire under a municipal plan instead of the regular correction officer plan. DiNapoli’s office alleges Scholl tried to exploit that difference.
According to investigators, the officers completed village projects such as installing sidewalks, re-carpeting the senior center, tiling town hall bathrooms, and making other improvements. The village paid them for only two days of work and required them to supply their own materials, even though the projects took longer.
After the work wrapped up, Scholl allegedly falsified timesheets showing the officers worked for the village before retiring from the state Department of Corrections and Community Service.
“These charges demonstrate that public servants who are dishonest in their positions will be held accountable for their actions,” State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said.
Scholl’s term as mayor ended in March 2023. He currently works as a civilian employee for DOCCS.
He was arraigned in Dannemora Village Court before Justice H. Philip Maynard Jr. and is scheduled to return to court Feb. 2.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials said they are reviewing all impacted retirement applications. Authorities stressed that the charges are accusations, and Scholl is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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