Ex-state workers accused of illegally using government credit cards

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Lombardo

Three state employees who allegedly used government-issued credit cards for rent, bar tabs and a gift card have been arrested.

“Many employees are entrusted with state-issued credit cards to assist with their job-related duties and responsibilities, and not their personal expenses,” State Inspector General Ellen Biben said in a press release. “New Yorkers rightfully expect that government employees do their jobs with integrity, and my office will continue to vigorously root out those who violate that trust.”

Barbara Tyson, 55, of Schenectady, a former secretary for the state Department of Health’s Bureau of Pharmacy Policy and Operations, was charged with four counts of petit larceny and one count of official misconduct.

The charges stem from a criminal complaint that alleges she used her state-issued credit card to pay for a U-Haul storage unit and for three bar tabs at the Anna O’Keeffe’s Pub in Albany. The total for these personal purchases is approximately $400.

Tyson had initially been issued the card to purchase office supplies. She was terminated in March of 2011 and was arraigned in Albany City Court on Dec. 23, before being released on her own recognizance.

Bridget Noradki, 29, of Mechanicville, a former developmental aide for the state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, was charged with petit larceny and attempted petit larceny.

Based on the criminal complaint against her, she allegedly used her state-issued credit card last April to purchase $42 in gas and a $100 gift card.

She had been issued the credit car to purchase equipment and supplies for the Clifton Park Twilight House. Noradki resigned in October and was arraigned in Halfmoon on Dec. 15 for the gift card charge. She was released on her own recognizance in relation to the gift card, but because of unrelated charges in Clifton Park, in conjunction with the illegal gas purchase, bail was set at $5,000.

The third defendant is Marrion Arrington, 42, of Albany, who is currently on leave from her job as secretary for the state Department of Health’s Division of Epidemiology. She was charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, a felony, and official misconduct, a misdemeanor.

Based on the criminal complaint, Arrington used her state-issued credit card to make payments to the Albany Housing Authority and for a rental car, which totaled $2,839.26. She had originally been issued the card to purchase office supplies and book business travel arrangements for co-workers.

Arrington was arraigned on Dec. 21 in Albany City Court and was released on her own recognizance.