Greece, N.Y. (WHAM) — There’s new developments surrounding the Greece police officer facing departmental charges for alleged misconduct.
The Town of Greece believes Officer Matthew Bachman may have broken laws based on findings from its year-and-a-half long internal investigation, and is now referring the matter to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office for a possible criminal investigation.
A 37-page disciplinary report obtained by 13WHAM News last week revealed six departmental charges filed against Bachman, a 17-year veteran of the Greece Police Department, accusing him of misconduct and insubordination.
He’s accused of working several outside jobs not approved by the department, while out on paid leave stemming from an injury while on duty in September of 2023.
MORE: Greece police officer facing disciplinary charges over alleged misconduct
In a letter sent to DA Sandra Doorley, Greece Police Chief Michael Wood said information gathered during an internal investigation “uncovered activities that may rise to the level of criminal conduct by Officer Bachman that requires further investigation and potential prosecution.”
The report contains dates, locations and Bachman’s alleged activities that the town said involve his outside employment.
13WHAM obtained video from the town that was used as part of this investigation.
One video clip dated Feb. 13, 2024 was reportedly taken at one of Bachman’s rental properties. The town believes “officer Bachman is the individual wearing the baseball cap” and is meeting with one of his employees and a city inspector.
In another video from Feb. 17, 2024, the town believes Bachman is driving his pick-up truck to snowplow a property.
Wood alleges officer Bachman lied under oath, denying he had worked at all since November 2023, and further denied owning any businesses.
In addition to a criminal referral to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, Wood said he would make a similar referral to federal authorities.
According to the letter sent to Doorley, it mentions a possible conflict of interest with the district attorney’s office and suggests an independent investigator and special prosecutor maybe needed for the criminal referral.
The disciplinary report states Bachman collected $161,000 in pay, plus benefits, since going on leave in September of 2023.
MORE: Town of Greece faces lawsuit over alleged vehicle tracking
Officer Bachman’s wife filed a lawsuit against the town in February over allegations that GPS tracking devices were placed on their family vehicles.
Following the release of the internal investigation report, Bachman was suspended without pay pending the completion of the disciplinary process.
13WHAM reached out to the union representing Bachman for comment concerning the criminal referral to the DA’s office but have not heard back.
In an interview last week, Bachman’s family attorney told 13WHAM she believes the timing of the release of the investigative report was a cover-up.
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