Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 43-year old Keith Capodicasa of Orchard Park has pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia to Insurance Fraud in the Fifth Degree for falsely reporting his damaged car stolen.

On June 9, 2015, the defendant crashed his vehicle into another car and then reported it stolen to police and to Progressive Insurance Company. After 30 days, the defendant received a check for $21,608 from Progressive paid out to the leasing company that owned the car. Two days after that, the car turned up in the Buffalo City Court parking ramp with a ticket stamped with the June 9, 2015 date. 

Capodicasa who is an Erie County Sheriff’s Deputy working in Family Court has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending an internal investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. 

The defendant, who has made full restitution, faces up to a year in jail when he is sentenced August 11, 2016, 9:30 a.m. by Justice Buscaglia. 

DA Flaherty commends the NYS Division of Financial Services for its help in the investigation. 

Assistant District Attorney Karen Korkuc is prosecuting the case.