State worker accused of scam to park in handicapped spots

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Lombardo

A Malta man was charged Wednesday with several felonies for allegedly obtaining handicapped parking privileges with a forged doctor’s note and repeatedly submitting falsified time records for his job with the state Department of Health.

Travis Witt, 27, of Malta, who makes $58,311 as an Information Technology Specialist II, faces four felony counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and one misdemeanor count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree, according to a news release from the Inspector General’s office. If convicted of the charges he faces the possibility of four years in prison.

An investigation by the IG’s office determined that in May 2011, Witt used a forged doctor’s note to secure special parking privileges at his work location at the Empire State Plaza. Witt also admitted that three times in January and February of this year he submitted time records indicating a full day of work when he actually had not worked at all, the IG’s office said.

“New Yorkers have every right to expect that state employees will comport themselves with the highest degree of honesty and integrity,” said acting State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott in a news release. “Fraudulently obtaining handicapped parking not only is unlawful, but potentially inhibits the rights of New Yorkers with disabilities in need of accessible parking. Further, any fraudulent abuse of time and attendance records undermines public trust. Such conduct is not tolerable.”

Witt was arraigned Wednesday before town of New Scotland Justice David Wukitschand. He was then held in county jail in lieu of $10,000 cash or bond.