Vienna police officers resign after money goes missing
VIENNA, Ohio - Two police officers resign in Vienna Township after $1500 was stolen from the department safe.
For the first time since the investigation began, the Vienna Township Trustees publicly addressed the theft of $1500 of missing community funds from the police department.
Previously unable to speak about an ongoing investigation, the trustees laid out how Police Chief Brian Darbey began looking into funds reported missing in September.
"The chief called BCI because he had never had an internal investigation before," Vienna Trustee Jeff Dreves explained.
With help from the Brookfield Police Chief Dan Faustino, Chief Darbey interviewed the handful of police who had access to the safe.
"Because nobody admitted taking anything, the only way to really get to it is to have a polygraph test of the people," Dreves said. "And he [Faustino] recommended, I think it was 5 officers, along with Chief Darbey."
Trustees say all passed the polygraph except for two officers- Jeff Ford and Nick Macchione.
"The 2 that failed turned in their resignations," said Dreves. "In the polygraph it said basically that Mr. Ford admitted taking $100."
The two officers resigned last month.
Since Chief Darbey also had access to the safe, the Township's legal counsel advised them to have the County Sheriff Department also look into the matter. A Sheriff Major looked into the case and the two officers.
"Basically he said they lawyered up, both of them, and that precluded him from asking any questions," Dreves explained.
From there, the investigation ended.
"Basically what it boils down to it, we kind of weeded out who took the money," said Trustee Rich Dascenzo Jr. "We've also changed things so it's not going to happen again."
"As far as I'm concerned that is the end," added Dreves. "Unless some other information becomes available."
Trustee Heidi Brown declined to comment.
The money will no longer be kept in the department safe. The people who raised the money for the department, the Vienna Neighborhood Association, don't plan to fundraise for the police and fire departments anymore.
"We're going to dissolve because there's just been too many things going on, and too much said," said neighborhood watch member Jo-An Otte.
Member Helen Clower agreed.
"The neighborhood watch just dissolved," Clower said. "They just washed their hands of the whole thing. It's like it's been swept under the rug."
Nothing further will be investigated on the case unless more evidence comes forward.
