CHATHAM—State Police Investigators at Livingston charged Christopher Sperl, 45, of Chatham, a Chatham Village Department of Public Works employee, on several counts related to the allegedly theft of diesel fuel, January 9.
In July 2011, State Police initiated the investigation which resulted in Mr. Sperl’s arrest on one count of first degree offering a false instrument for filing, a class E felony; one count of second degree falsifying business records, one count of official misconduct and one count of petit larceny, all class A misdemeanors.
Mr. Sperl allegedly used a fuel card associated with the Village’s fuel account at the Main Care fuel company to “systematically” steal diesel fuel from the Village.
Livingston State Police Investigator Eric Barnes would not say if Mr. Sperl was using the card to put diesel fuel in his own, a town-owned or some other vehicle.
He did say the both police surveillance and business records were used in the investigation, which took place over about five-months, during which Mr. Sperl was working for the Village.
Asked whether Mr. Sperl is still employed by the Village, the investigator deferred to Village officials, who have not commented.
Mr. Sperl was released with tickets directing him to appear in Chatham Town Court January 18. The investigation is ongoing.
