County DPW Official, Schoharie Councilman Arrested

SCHOHARIE - County DPW Official, Schoharie Councilman Arrested

Two Schoharie residents with significant positions in local government were arrested over the past twenty-four hours as part of a New York State Police investigation.

Investigators based out of the Latham Troop G barracks arrested Benjamin Cooper, age 45, on multiple felonies on Thursday, January 3rd. 

Mr. Cooper, who is a Public Works Administrator in the Schoharie County Department of Public Works, was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th Degree, Falsifying Business Records 1st Degree, and Conspiracy 5th Degree, with the last of the charges being a misdemeanor. 

Additionally, James P. Schultz was arrested on the morning of Friday, January 4th, when he surrendered himself to State Police. Mr. Schultz, age 37, is a member of the Schoharie Town Board and he was charged with Conspiracy 5th Degree. 

According to a press release issued by the State Police, the arrests stem from an investigation which began after a former tenant of Mr. Schultz reported that his vehicle was missing to the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office.

After further investigation, the vehicle was located in a local scrap metal yard in the City of Albany. The Schoharie County Sheriff's Office turned the case over to the New York State Police Investigators in Latham.

Both men were issued appearance tickets to appear in the City of Albany Court on Thursday, January 17th, 2019.

Mr. Cooper, whose son Cody serves on the Schoharie Town Board alongside Mr. Schultz, was named the 2018 Schoharie County Republican of the Year in May.