NYSP Charges Seven CBP Union Leaders in Alleged Fraud, Including Three from NNY | WWTI

MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 27: A patch is seen on the sleeve of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer as he uses facial recognition technology in his cabin at Miami International Airport to screen a traveler entering the United States on February 27, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

PLATTSBURGH, NY (WWTI) – New York State Police have arrested seven current and former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers involved in an alleged robbery case.

This includes three people from the upstate New York area.

The following persons arrested were members of the executive committee of the National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 138, Champlain, New York:

• Thomas O'Keefe – Arrested for robbery 3rd (crime)
• Joseph McVey – Robbery 4th category (crime)
• Jamie Goheens – Robbery 3rd (crime)
• Roy Arndt – Robbery 4th category (crime)
• Michael Lacey – Robbery 4th category (crime)
• Craig Mothersell – Robbery 3rd (crime)
• David Murtagh – Petty theft (crime)

Ardnt and Mothersell are from Watertown while Murtagh is from Massena.

While serving on the executive committee of the National Union of Treasury Employees, these individuals are accused of embezzling funds from federal government accounts and union funds by double-billing official travel for both organizations and accepting cash advances for their own personal benefit.

This investigation was a joint effort between the State Police, Customs and Border Protection's Office of Professional Responsibility, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York, and the Clinton County District Attorney's Office.

The case is being prosecuted by the Clinton County District Attorney's Office and assigned to Assistant District Attorney Jaime Douthat.