AUBURN, CAYUGA CO. -- The Town of Owasco Highway Superintendent was in court Thursday morning, accused of filling out time cards for hours that were not worked.
48-year-old Michael L. Wilson pleaded not guilty to a nine count indictment for allegedly falsifying time sheets in 2006.
The time sheets belong to Wilson's son, Scott, a National Guardsman, and covered two weeks that the soldier was called away from his part-time summer job for active duty at Fort Drum. The highway Superintendent claims he got permission from town officials to submit time sheets on behalf of his son.
Wilson's attorney, Norman Chirco, told CNY Central that Superintendent Wilson did submit the time sheets even though his son did not actually work the hours. "He's doing service to our country. He's on military leave. That's an important thing for all of us to remember. It's important that we support our troops." Chirco told Kenyon.
Town Supervisor John Klink confirmed that town board members did give Wilson the go-ahead to submit time cards on behalf of his son, thinking it was the right thing to do for a soldier called to duty.
Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann disputes Wilson's claim he had permission. "The defendant's own statement to police two years ago stated he did not have permission from anyone." Budelmann said. Budelmann said perviously that there was no mention of military duty on the time cards. Wilson has previously called the incident a ‘clerical error’.
Though Wilson has been indicted on felony charges that carry a penalty of up to seven years in prison, Owasco Town Supervisor Klink says the town is not considering any attempt at this time to remove him as Highway Superintendent, which is an elected position.
