Bottini Fuel will fool us only once

Dear Editor: Shame on Bottini Fuel and especially its owners, Rick, Brian and Scott Bottini, for engaging in criminal activity (“Bottini Fuel admits falsifying records, will pay $3.3M in restitution and damages,” Nov. 27, 2018) and then trying to backpedal in perhaps the worst public relations letter I’ve ever received.

The Bottini brothers have misplaced their integrity and character somewhere along the way. They pilfered their own company to benefit themselves, family and friends. Are they really in need of lower fuel prices? Perhaps they need to spend some time among our neighbors who truly struggle to pay their Bottini bills without the perks of thievery.

Bottini’s letter attempted to falsely portray this theft as a few minor mistakes. And they somehow overlooked the fact that they didn’t come forward in light of these “few mistakes” or that they admitted guilt to the state Attorney General’s Office. It was a whistleblower who shined a light on the scamming of individuals, towns, schools and other state and local government entities.

To the employees of Bottini, we know many of you as our neighbors and friends and that will be the reason we stay despite this despicable criminal activity on the part of your employers. But rest assured, Bottini will fool us only once. Jo Galante Cicale

Saugerties