RENSSELAERVILLE — Renssealerville’s former town supervisor, Steven Pfleging, pleaded guilty on Dec. 11 to petit larceny, a misdemeanor, one year after he was charged with stealing $13,000 from town coffers while he was supervisor. 

That same day, Pfleging paid back the stolen $13,000.

He was sentenced to 50 hours of community service. His case will be closed if he stays out of trouble for one year, beginning with the completion of his service, according to the spokeswoman for the Albany County District Attorney’s Office, Cecilia Walsh.

Pfleging was originally charged with third-degree grand larceny and falsifying business records, both felonies; and official misconduct, a misdemeanor. 

“The initial felony charges were sent to our Financial Crimes Unit for review,” Walsh told The Enterprise. “Based on the facts and circumstances of the case, including lack of criminal history, it was determined that a criminal conviction for larceny, full repayment of the stolen funds, and the requirement of community service was the most appropriate resolution of this matter.”

Pfleging did not return calls for comment, nor did his attorney, Aline Galgay.

The town’s attorney, Thomas Fallati, announced at the town board’s regular meeting on Dec. 12, that Pfleging also paid half of “additional expenses incurred by the accountants for their research,” in addition to the $13,000 he stole from the town, according to draft minutes of the meeting.

Fallati did not return an email seeking comment.

Background

Pfleging, a Democrat, was elected supervisor in 2017, beating out Republican candidate, David Bowdish, who declared he was not running. 

During his campaign, The Enterprise asked Pfleging about his conviction for driving while intoxicated.

“I don’t have anything to hide,” Pfleging said at the time, and added “I made a mistake and I take responsibility for it. I don’t have anything to hide.”

 He stepped down from his post on Dec. 12, 2018, after a town audit revealed that he had been writing checks to himself from the town. The deputy supervisor, John Dolce, who had been a town board member since 2016, stepped into the role. He was elected supervisor last November.

In the same 2018 meeting, Jason Rauf, who was elected to the board in 2017, was appointed deputy supervisor. Democrat Brian Wood was appointed to fill the vacant board seat. 

In August, 2019, auditors from the state comptroller’s office gave verbal recommendations to the town regarding protection of its finances going forward.