Malta man accused of fraudulently obtaining handicapped parking privileges

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Lombardo

A Malta man was arrested this morning for allegedly obtaining a handicapped parking privileges with a forged doctor’s note.

Travis Witt, 27, of Malta, who works for the state Department of Health, 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 Acting State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott.

An investigation by the IG’s office determined that in May of last year, Witt received handicapped parking privileges in the Empire State Plaza with a forged doctor’s note. The defendant has also admitted to submitting time records that indicated he worked full days when he hadn’t actually worked at all.

“New Yorkers have every right to expect that state employees will comport themselves with the highest degree of honesty and integrity,” Scott said in a statement. “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 today and held in Albany County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash or bond. He faces up to four years in prison if convicted.