Dental Technician Accused of Stealing Metals from US Veterans’ Clinic

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US: A dental technician working at the Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a clinic serving U.S. military veterans, has pleaded guilty to stealing precious metals from his job. The technician, whose name has been withheld, allegedly sold the stolen metals, including gold, silver, and palladium, between October 2017 and May 2021, instead of recycling and reusing them for dental procedures.

Misinforming Patients

During the period of the thefts, the employee allegedly made $17,574 selling the precious metals, which were meant to be utilized in the production of crowns, bridges, and other dental materials. The accused individual, a 65-year-old resident of Delanson, N.Y., pleaded guilty to theft of government property on June 6, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.

According to court documents, the dental technician’s position at the Veterans Affairs clinic in Albany provided him access to precious metals. It is alleged that the accused deceived the Veterans Affairs by falsely claiming that certain metals could not be reused for dental procedures. However, it was revealed in the plea agreement that the metals, including gold and silver, were in perfect condition and suitable for recycling and reuse.

The plea agreement states that the technician stole the metals without authorization and sold them to a third-party refinery. As of June 6, the stolen metals have not been recovered, as mentioned in the plea agreement.

Potential Imprisonment and Upcoming Hearing

The dental technician is now facing a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for October 4, where the court will determine the appropriate punishment. Apart from the potential prison sentence, the accused may also be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 at the sentencing hearing. 

The defense attorney for the accused, Lee Kindlon, expressed remorse on behalf of his client and stated that the technician deeply regrets his actions. Kindlon further added that the accused has vowed to make full restitution to the U.S. government. The defense hopes that the court will consider the admission of guilt and expression of remorse in granting leniency to the accused.