Published: March 06, 2008 01:44 am            

LOCKPORT: Postal supervisor takes plea

A supervisor at Lockport’s post office branch has taken a guilty plea after being accused of falsifying time card records.

Leo J. Wheeler, 56, 4305 Transit Road, Depew, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lockport City Court to disorderly conduct, a violation.

Wheeler had faced six misdemeanor counts of second-degree falsifying business records.

His attorney, Frank Buffomante, said the plea to disorderly conduct covers all six counts.

Wheeler, a post office delivery supervisor, was accused of falsifying the time in attendance records for a female employee under his supervision. The false entries allowed the woman to be compensated for time she was not actually clocked in.

The charges stemmed from incidents on April 24, 26, May 4, 12 and 31 and June 14, according to police reports.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Lockport Police Department and the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General.

Agapi Doulaveris, spokeswoman for the OIG, said Wheeler has been placed on administrative leave from the post office.

Buffomante said the district attorney’s office consulted with the postal authorities about the plea deal.

“They are satisfied with this resolution,” he said.

Wheeler faces up to 15 days in jail when he is sentenced March 19.

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

        

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