A former Cheshire police officer charged with stealing thousands of dollars from the police union pleaded not guilty to a larceny charge in court Wednesday.
Jay Markella, 46, is suspected of taking more than $21,000 from the Cheshire Police Union. He served as the police union's volunteer treasurer for five years and left his position when he got a promotion in the Cheshire Police Department.
According to court documents, Markella had access to all three of the union’s bank accounts as the treasurer. An investigation conducted by the office of the chief state's attorney linked Markella’s signature to more than 90 larcenous cash withdrawals and 13 transfer withdrawals. He is also accused of purchasing nearly $1,000 worth of Staples supplies with the union credit card after he left the union.
Markella’s alleged embezzling scheme was discovered after state investigators began looking into another former Cheshire police officer. Robert Anderson Jr., 43, the union’s former president, was charged in January with multiple larceny charges for stealing more than $50,000 from the union. According to the Cheshire Citizen, Anderson pleaded guilty to fourth-degree larceny earlier this month and received a three year suspended sentence and two years of probation.
Markella’s case has been transferred to New Haven Superior Court. His will next appear in court on Oct. 24 for a pre-trial hearing. He is out on bond and resigned from the force last year.