More Troubles for Greece PD as Investigation Widens; Pignato Hearing

(Greece, N.Y.) - The scope of the investigation into the Greece Police Department has grown significantly as, investigators say, they're now looking at "close to a dozen" areas of wrongdoing. 

Joe Loszynski, a retired deputy superintendent with the New York State Police, is heading the investigation.     

"We're looking at the department with a microscope right now,” he said.

Loszynski and the other investigators are examining pieces of documents allegedly shredded last month in an incident at police headquarters involving now suspended Chief Merritt Rahn; Deputy Chief William Mackin; and a sergeant Brian Ball.

Loszynski said, "It's a very tedious forensic effort when you're trying to piece together shredded paper residue from a shredder."

During the past year, two officers have faced criminal charges:

• Former sergeant Nicholas Joseph was recently convicted for his involvement in a hit-and-run crash last year.

• Suspended Officer Gary Pignato goes on trial Monday for charges of  bribery, coercion, and official misconduct (see related story below).

Investigators have interviewed Rahn, Pignato, and Joseph, and, although Loszynski wouldn't say if the three had answered all questions, they can be held for insubordination if they don’t fully cooperate.

Loszynski admitted he's also looking at Sergeant Tom Schammerhorn for his alleged role in letting a Rochester cop walk away from a suspected DWI. He said tips are rolling in from the community.

"I think at the end of the day, if I was a taxpayer here, I would feel much more comfortable if I went to bed at night in putting my head to the pillow in saying I have an ethical police department," Loszynski said.

Loszynski said the investigation is aimed at protecting the town from civil lawsuits and the integrity of criminal convictions. He says he hasn't yet found any evidence that could possibly overturn a criminal conviction, but he's in constant communication with the District Attorney's office and state police should anything he uncover warrant criminal charges.

He described the Greece Police Department as a whole as cooperative under Acting Chief of Police, Brian Urmacher. Under his leadership, there is an emerging attitude from the rank and file of wanting to get the department cleaned up.