By Lauren Sievert
MERIDEN — A former Cheshire
police officer was arraigned in court Friday morning on charges that he stole
money from the police union.
Robert Anderson, 43, of Wilton
was arrested Jan. 9 and charged with two counts of first-degree larceny. In
court, Anderson appeared wearing a jacket and tie, and didn’t speak during the
hearing. Anderson looked straight ahead, and outside the courthouse Anderson
stood a few steps away as his attorney spoke.
According to the arrest
warrant, Anderson stole $50,000 from the Cheshire police union and used the
money to take his girlfriend to San Francisco, pay bills and dine out. Anderson
faces a maximum imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $30,000 if he is
convicted on the two felony counts.
Anderson, who started his
career with Cheshire police in 2002, was the union president from 2005-09 and
vice president until the end of 2012. His base salary was $68,608 annually.
According to court records, the charges are from incidents occurring from Aug.
10, 2005, through Sept. 3, 2011. According to the warrant, two Cheshire
detectives described Anderson as a “rogue kind of guy who would act on his own
accord without consulting or notifying the union executive board.”
Anderson posted $100,000 bond
at the time of his arrest and appeared in Superior Court Friday for his
arraignment. Attorney John Gulash represents Anderson.
Judge Philip Scarpellino
recused himself from the case, saying that he “personally called in a complaint
on the officer,” and Judge Jack Fischer presided over the hearing. Susan
Hatfield, assistant state’s attorney in the Statewide Prosecution Bureau in the
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney appeared on behalf of the state. The case
may eventually be transferred to New Haven Superior Court. Anderson’s case was
continued until Feb. 19.
Outside of court, Gulash said
he had no comment on the case. Gulash said the arrest came through the
inspectors of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.
