Police union leader resigns
Accused of using association funds for personal expenses.
The head of the Transit Authority Police Department union has resigned his post and has been suspended from police duties for six months after an internal investigation revealed he was inappropriately receiving pay earmarked for union duties.
Edward Carney, a 12-year transit police veteran who last year took over as president of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police Benevolent Association, was found to be using 10 hours a week allowed for union business to attend his children’s hockey games in Rochester or other personal affairs. According to three sources familiar with the situation who asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to speak publicly, an internal Transit Police investigation determined the portion of his authority salary allowed for union business was inappropriately used.
The sources said no charges were filed.
The investigation, which the sources said included surveillance by a private detective, resulted in Carney acknowledging the transgression and accepting the suspension without pay. They also indicated department officials initially planned to fire Carney but deferred to the lengthy suspension because of family circumstances involving serious illness.