A former Vermont state trooper who stole $40,000 worth of evidence from a storage room has accepted a plea agreement and avoided jail time.
Giancarlo DiGenova, 45, resigned in February 2023 after the agency launched an investigation following the discovery of stolen evidence from a narcotics case.
In December 2022, Vermont State Police said other troopers discovered evidence was missing, including a $14,000 Rolex watch, from a storage room at the Williston barracks.
On Friday, DiGenova pleaded guilty to felony grand larceny, misdemeanor counts of petty larceny, providing false information to police, making a false statement and neglect of duty.
‘Your honor, words cannot describe the regret and remorse I feel in my heart,’ DiGenova said in court.
Giancarlo DiGenova, 45, resigned in February 2023 after the agency launched an investigation following the discovery of stolen evidence from a narcotics case
On Friday he accepted a plea agreement. Instead of jail time, he has to complete 100 hours of community service, pay fines and take part in a restorative justice program
‘I am fully aware of the gravity of my actions and the harm they have caused. I humbly extend my sincerest apologies to all affected by my wrongdoing.’
‘My conduct has not only violated the law but also broke the trust and respect owed to society, the Vermont State Police, and especially my family,’ DiGenova said.
Instead of jail time, he has to complete 100 hours of community service, pay fines and take part in a restorative justice program.
According to an affidavit, the former state trooper was wearing his Vermont State Police uniform when he walked into a jewelry store to get a Rolex appraised on November 29.
Other than the watch, DiGenova stole diamond stud earrings, a diamond pendant, Airpods, a designer brand wallet and keychain, a gold necklace and ADHD medication, documents said.
DiGenova accessed the storage room ‘numerous times’ after the items were locked up, the affidavit said.
The petty larceny charge is related to the investigation into the missing ADHD medication that belonged to a child when he responded to a domestic disturbance call in Bolton, VT Digger reported.
He was sentenced to six months to three years of probation for the charges of providing false information to police, neglect of duty and making a false statement.
His sentence for his petty larceny and grand larceny charges were deferred for three years, and instead, he was placed on probation.
If the former trooper abides by his probation, the two larceny charges could be wiped from his record.
The judge referred to his plea agreement as a ‘second chance’ for DiGenova.
The prosecutor, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George, said the plea agreement was ‘fair’ for each party.
Other than the watch, DiGenova stole diamond stud earrings, a diamond pendant, Airpods, a designer brand wallet and keychain, a gold necklace and ADHD medication
DiGenova became a state trooper in 2009. He also has pending charges against him in Washington County after he was accused of stealing from the Berlin State Police barracks as a trooper
‘That seems to me a good balance. Those misdemeanors are important ones that will keep him from being a cop,’ George said.
Following his hearing, DiGenova declined to comment, but his lawyer, Robert Kaplan, said his client is ‘pleased to be putting these issues behind him.’
He added DiGenova ‘looks forward to moving on with his life’ and has ‘learned some important lessons here.’
He is facing additional charges for an alleged missing gold necklace and diamond pendant. Those charges were not part of the plea agreement. His latest charges stemmed from a discovery in January when troopers were in the process of moving into a new barrack and brought all seized personal items along with them.
During that time, they noticed a diamond dust pendant worth about $375 was missing from evidence.
Following an investigation, it was determined that DiGenova had taken the necklace by using his ID to enter the locked room in December 2022 and sold it on eBay for under $300, authorities said.
State police said the necklace has since been resold by the buyer.
DiGenova also has pending charges against him in Washington County after he was accused of stealing from the Berlin State Police barracks as a trooper.
DiGenova became a state trooper in 2009 and was assigned to the Williston, Middlesex and Bradford barracks.