Conservative Party Official Nailed on Fraud

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CN) - Jurors convicted a Conservative Party official of double-billing taxpayers to the tune of $200,000 while he hit the golf course and gambled at a casino.

The chairman of Suffolk County's Conservative Party, Edward Walsh Jr., 50, also worked as a corrections officer for the local sheriff's office.

Prosecutors said Walsh filed timesheets for overtime and regular hours worked between January 2011 and April 2014, when in fact the East Islip man was out swinging clubs, gambling at the Foxwoods Casino or working on behalf of his party.

His conviction Thursday came after a three-week trial.

Jurors found Walsh guilty on both counts against him: theft of government services and wire fraud.

Walsh faces up to 30 years in prison when sentenced.

"Today's verdict once again establishes that no one person is above the law," U.S. Attorney Robert Capers said in a statement.

"Edward Walsh abused his position and authority as a political boss to steal from taxpayers in order to fund his personal activities. Now he will be held accountable for his actions."

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