Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 43-year old Keith Capodicasa of Orchard Park has been given three years probation by State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia after pleading guilty in July 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 a 17 year veteran of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, has been suspended for 30 days from his job as a deputy working in Family Court. The Sheriff’s Office has required he sign a last chance agreement stating that even one misstep would lead to termination. 

The defendant, who has made full restitution to Progressive, was also ordered by Justice Buscaglia to continue alcohol counseling and will be subject to random alcohol testing while on probation. 

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

Assistant District Attorney Karen Korkuc prosecuted the case.