Former Rhinebeck employee charged with double-dipping

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ALBANY – Former Rhinebeck Village Superintendent of Public Works John Fenton, Jr. has been arrested for working part-time on other jobs while serving on the books as the DPW chief.

Fenton, 56, of Wappingers Falls, was charged with six counts, including grand larceny, falsifying business records, and corrupting the government.

The arrest follows an investigation by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s Office, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office and State Police.

While working as a full-time Village of Rhinebeck employee, Fenton obtained part-time zoning, code enforcement and building inspection employment with the towns of Rhinebeck, Red Hook and Clinton and the Village of Tivoli.

In addition to his public employment, he conducted home inspections for his two private companies.

Fenton allegedly left during the workday with the Village of Rhinebeck to work for the other municipalities and then falsified timesheets submitted to Red Hook to hide his double-dipping.

He also falsified mileage reimbursement requests to Red Hook in order to receive improper payments.

He also used the village’s office and other resources to work his various side jobs.

As a result, he allegedly stole $2,697 from the Village of Rhinebeck and $2,978 from the Town of Red Hook.

Following his arrest, Fenton was released on an appearance ticket.

Fenton worked for the Village of Rhinebeck from April 2014 until May 2020 after he pled guilty to official misconduct for an unrelated matter while in office.




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