Retired detective pleads to grand larceny
Admits as PBA president he stole $6,200 to pay rent
The former president of the city’s largest police union admitted in court Monday that he stole $6,200 from the bargaining unit he once led.
Aaron Collington, a detective who retired in February, pleaded guilty in Rensselaer County Court to fourthdegree grand larceny, a felony, as part of a plea deal that spares him from prison time.
In the plea deal accepted by Judge Jennifer Sober, Collington will remain on probation for a year and must complete 250 hours of community service. If he stays out of trouble during probation, the case will be discharged and the felony against him will be dismissed and replaced with a misdemeanor charge of petit larceny. His record will be scrubbed of the felony conviction.
The 50-year-old declined to comment after emerging from the courtroom.
Collington’s guilty plea follows
months of negotiations between his lawyer, Joseph Ahearn, and special prosecutor Linda Griggs.
He rejected another plea offer in February and was headed to trial on April 29.
“I’m glad he took responsibility for his actions,” Griggs said.
Ahearn said until this incident, Collington had an outstanding record and was active in the community.
“I hope the public takes into consideration the years of good service he provided to the people of Troy,” Ahearn said.
Collington was indicted last summer
for stealing from the Troy Police Benevolent Association while he was its president. The bargaining unit represents 118 patrol officers, detectives and sergeants.
He used the money to pay rent, according to the police complaint. Collington made $79,926 in 2017, according to seethroughny.net, a website that lists government payrolls in New York. Collington has been free without bail since his October 2017 arrest.
Collington has repaid the stolen money.
After Rensselaer County’s district attorney recused himself, Griggs was assigned to the case by Albany County District Attorney David Soares after he was named as a special prosecutor.