Soccer club carries on
AG accuses Leggierio of scamming state



GUILDERLAND -- The wheels of justice are turning steadily in the case of Kennewyck Circle resident James Leggiero, accused of shunting $1.23 million of state funds to himself through an allegedly phony business.

Nearly all records regarding Leggiero and his East Greenbush business, Very Important Property, Inc., that were filed through the state Supreme Court in Rensselaer County have been sent to the judge overseeing the case. Only the ex parte order of attachment, detailing the accounts and property owned by Leggiero and his wife, Kathleen, and VIP were public last week.

Leggiero was employed as an auditor with the state Office of Mental Health. Jill Daniels, the acting director of public affairs for OMH, told The Enterprise this week that James Leggiero is still suspended without pay. His suspension began March 7, a day after Attorney General Andrew Cuomo served him with papers that allowed the Leggieros’ home to be searched and their bank accounts frozen.

Kathleen Leggiero is also employed with OMH. Daniels told The Enterprise this week that Kathleen Leggiero is on administrative leave.

Early reports of the charges included donations made by the Leggieros to local soccer clubs using money obtained through VIP.

Mike Kinnally, who works with the Guilderland United Soccer Club, told The Enterprise that the Leggieros, who have children on the teams, have been on the club’s board of directors.
"It’s a tricky situation for us," Kinnally said. "Our treasurer has looked at our books and found no improprieties." He described the Leggieros’ experience as a "horrible situation," and said, "It’s horrible for the boys. They’re great kids." Kinnally said that, after the initial review, the club has returned its focus to its young members. "We’re just moving on with working with the kids," he said.

The Leggieros did not return calls made to their home. At press time, no further information was available from the state attorney general’s office.