Post by michele5611 on May 17, 2013 8:44:16 GMT -5
longbeach.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/rescue-ink-cofounder-arrested-on-larceny-charges
Rescue Ink Co-Founder Arrested on Larceny Charges
John Orlandini allegedly stole more than $15,000 from the non-profit organization that runs the city's animal shelter.
Posted by Joseph Kellard (Editor), May 16, 2013 at 02:50 pm
A co-founder of the Rescue Ink-run animal shelter in Long Beach was arrested and charged with grand larceny Wednesday.
According to the Long Beach Police Department, John Orlandini, 49, of Long Beach was arrested at police headquarters May 15 and charged with third-degree grand larceny for stealing more than $15,000 from Rescue Ink, the non-profit organization that runs the City of Long Beach’s animal shelter, at 770 Park Pl., where he was the director.
The LBPD launched an investigation after a donor to the animal shelter wrote a check to Rescue Ink and requested a receipt but records revealed the check was never deposited, police said. Det. Christopher Walsh uncovered that, between June 2012 and February 2013, Orlandini cashed 141 checks made out to Rescue Ink and kept the funds.
Orlandini was arraigned in Long Beach City Court on Wednesday and bail was set at $500 cash over $1,00 bond. He is scheduled to appear before Judge Meryl Berkowitz in Nassau County Court on May 31.
Asked to comment on the charges leveled against him, Orlandini told Patch: "I'm very innocent."
Meanwhile, the LBPD’s investigation is ongoing and detectives seek the public’s assistance in ascertaining if any citizens made additional donations to Rescue Ink.
“The staff of Rescue Ink issues acknowledgement letters to all donors for tax purposes,” said Det. Lt. Stefan Chernaski. “Anyone who has made a donation to Rescue Ink but had not received such a letter is encouraged to contact the Long Beach Police Detective Division at 516-705 7320.”
LBPD Commissioner Michael Tangney said that Rescue Ink cooperated in the investigation. “The Rescue Ink shelter suffered serious damage as a result of Superstorm Sandy,” Tangney said. “ The defendant took for himself desperately needed funds that were to be used for the benefit of animals, not himself.”
Joseph Panzarella (a.k.a. Joe Panz), a co-founder of Rescue Ink, said in a statement Wednesday: “It remains Rescue Ink's mission to protect abused and neglected animals. Rescue Ink runs its daily operations at the shelter on a shoestring budget and relies heavily on our supporters’ generous donations. Together with your continued support we shall persevere through this devastating ordeal.”
The city originally signed a one-year contracted with Rescue Ink to run its shelter on a $15,000 budget in June 2011. Orlandini, who goes by the nickname “Johnny O,” served as the city’s humane commissioner from June 2012 to Feb. 11, 2013, when he was released from service for substandard performance, according to police.
Rescue Ink Co-Founder Arrested on Larceny Charges
John Orlandini allegedly stole more than $15,000 from the non-profit organization that runs the city's animal shelter.
Posted by Joseph Kellard (Editor), May 16, 2013 at 02:50 pm
A co-founder of the Rescue Ink-run animal shelter in Long Beach was arrested and charged with grand larceny Wednesday.
According to the Long Beach Police Department, John Orlandini, 49, of Long Beach was arrested at police headquarters May 15 and charged with third-degree grand larceny for stealing more than $15,000 from Rescue Ink, the non-profit organization that runs the City of Long Beach’s animal shelter, at 770 Park Pl., where he was the director.
The LBPD launched an investigation after a donor to the animal shelter wrote a check to Rescue Ink and requested a receipt but records revealed the check was never deposited, police said. Det. Christopher Walsh uncovered that, between June 2012 and February 2013, Orlandini cashed 141 checks made out to Rescue Ink and kept the funds.
Orlandini was arraigned in Long Beach City Court on Wednesday and bail was set at $500 cash over $1,00 bond. He is scheduled to appear before Judge Meryl Berkowitz in Nassau County Court on May 31.
Asked to comment on the charges leveled against him, Orlandini told Patch: "I'm very innocent."
Meanwhile, the LBPD’s investigation is ongoing and detectives seek the public’s assistance in ascertaining if any citizens made additional donations to Rescue Ink.
“The staff of Rescue Ink issues acknowledgement letters to all donors for tax purposes,” said Det. Lt. Stefan Chernaski. “Anyone who has made a donation to Rescue Ink but had not received such a letter is encouraged to contact the Long Beach Police Detective Division at 516-705 7320.”
LBPD Commissioner Michael Tangney said that Rescue Ink cooperated in the investigation. “The Rescue Ink shelter suffered serious damage as a result of Superstorm Sandy,” Tangney said. “ The defendant took for himself desperately needed funds that were to be used for the benefit of animals, not himself.”
Joseph Panzarella (a.k.a. Joe Panz), a co-founder of Rescue Ink, said in a statement Wednesday: “It remains Rescue Ink's mission to protect abused and neglected animals. Rescue Ink runs its daily operations at the shelter on a shoestring budget and relies heavily on our supporters’ generous donations. Together with your continued support we shall persevere through this devastating ordeal.”
The city originally signed a one-year contracted with Rescue Ink to run its shelter on a $15,000 budget in June 2011. Orlandini, who goes by the nickname “Johnny O,” served as the city’s humane commissioner from June 2012 to Feb. 11, 2013, when he was released from service for substandard performance, according to police.