Rochester, N.Y. - The son of State Assemblyman and Monroe County Republican Chairman Bill Reilich is accused of cheating New York State.
A New York Department of Labor spokesperson said William Reilich, Jr. is charged with unemployment fraud, after an arrest on Thursday.
Reilich, Jr. allegedly collected $7,700 in unemployment benefits while he worked for Monroe County between June 2009 and January 2010. He currently works for the county at the Greater Rochester International Airport.
Bill Reilich released the following statement Friday night in response to his son's arrest:
"Regardless of the fact that my son is 31 years old, anyone with children knows you never stop being a parent. To that note, I am obviously greatly disappointed by my son's actions. I was only recently made aware of the charges against him and immediately upon being informed, my advice to him was to stand up and do the right thing. At this point in time, he has already made full restitution, and he will comply with whatever the judge asks of him."
"I would ask that his privacy, not unlike any other individual, be respected as he deals with his legal matter. As his dad, I will support him through this difficult time and support his decision to return to professional treatment for his gambling addiction as well."
