13 WHAM - "The former water utilities superintendent for the Town of Ontario has been arrested on a Wayne County indictment warrant.
Rodney Peets, 59, was arrested Tuesday and charged with three counts of offering a false instrument for filing 1st, three counts of offering a false instrument for filing 2nd, three counts of tampering with a public record 1st, three counts of tampering with a public record 2nd, and official misconduct."
13 WHAM - "According to the New York State Comptroller's Office, Peets failed to take care of leaks in the town's water system. In order to cover up for his failure, he falsified three reports to the town.
The indictment against Peets states he altered the “Revised” Report on the Unaccounted for Water dated February 16, 2015.
In addition, Peets is accused of altering the Monthly Activity Report to the Town Board for December 2015 and the Annual Drinking Water Report for 2015, which was released in March 2016.
According to our news partners at the Times of Wayne County, Peets was allowed to retire earlier this year. Investigators were first notified about the town's recordkeeping being awry in the 2nd quarter of 2015 when Town Supervisor John Smith notified the comptroller and law enforcement.
New York State Police, the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Comptroller's Office were all part of a year-long investigation into Peets' conduct.
"Mr. Peets allegedly failed to correct the water system issue and falsified records to conceal his negligence,” DiNapoli said. “Taxpayers have a right to expect accountability and transparency in government. I thank the State Police and Acting District Attorney Bokelman for their efforts to fight public corruption.”
Peets was arraigned Wednesday. He is scheduled back in court on October 19."