By Tiffany Williams –
HERKIMER, N.Y. — Two Town of Herkimer Highway Department employees are facing criminal charges after an eleven-month investigation into a scrap-for-cash scheme involving town property.
New York State Police in Herkimer arrested Kenneth M. Ward, 44, and Michael N. Walz, 34, both of Herkimer, on one count each of Official Misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor.
The investigation began after the Town of Herkimer Board of Directors and the Herkimer County District Attorney’s Office were notified of a possible larceny within the highway department.
According to investigators, Ward and Walz were aware of town-owned materials being scrapped for profit. Replaced water meters and other metal items dropped off by residents during cleanup days were allegedly taken and sold, mostly at Mohawk Valley Recycling, with proceeds collected by department employees.
Police say the total amount of money involved could not be determined, but the cash was reportedly kept in a box and used for non–town-related expenses.
Ward and Walz were processed at SP Herkimer and released with appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Herkimer Court on December 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.