All Over Albany

Investigation finds fraud at state forensics lab, Paterson talking about layoffs again, homeless shelters jammed, another bank robbery attempt

A investigation by the state inspector general concludes that Gary Veeder, a former state police forensic scientist, "routinely" failed to conduct a required test on fiber evidence and then lied about performing the test in case records. Twenty-six of the cases were from the Capital Region. State police say it does not appear the fraudulent testing affected any convictions. The IG's report also concludes that Veeder was able to get away with the fraudulent work for years because "laboratory staff's technical, or peer, reviews of Veeder's fiber examinations were substandard, overlooking obvious indications that Veeder had omitted the required fiber test." State police say they're bringing in an outside consultant to address the problem. Veeder is now dead -- he committed suicide at his home in Vorheesville last year. [NYS IG] [Fox23] [WNYT] [NYT] [TU]

The Saratoga County sheriff's deputy accused of forcing an acquaintance to perform a sex act on him while he was on duty has been indicted on 11 new charges. Saratoga County DA James Murphy says three more women have stepped forward to accuse the deputy of similar crimes. [TU] [Saratogian]

Federal prosecutors are predicting jail time for Joe Bruno. [NYDN]

David Paterson says state worker layoffs will be back on the table if state revenues continue to drop. [NYP]

Steven Raucci will stay in jail after a state appeals court affirmed a lower court's decision to deny him bail. The TU and the Daily Gazette are now suing the Schenectady school district for access to its investigation of Raucci. The district has already released a version of the report -- but it was heavily redacted. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [TU]

State DEC scientists report that bat populations are down 90 percent in caves where they're studying "white nose syndrome." "We don't have a lot of years to figure this out," says a DEC scientist. [NYS DEC] [TU]

The cold snap has local homeless shelters scraping for additional space. The Capital City Rescue Mission was so full that people were sleeping in chairs last night. In Troy, churches have opened their doors to provide additional capacity. [TU] [Fox23] [Troy Record]

Republicans are criticizing Scott Murphy for his support of stimulus funding. [NYO]

A review of the State Liquor Authority concludes that a lot of progress has been made in reforming the agency -- but there's still a long way to go. [TU]

The Schenectady cop indicted this week on charges that he threatened his former wife showed up in Western Mass yesterday with a knife wound. Police there say the officer told them it was an accident. "Several sources familiar with the situation" tell the TU the suspended officer was stabbed by his current ladyfriend. [Daily Gazette $] [CapNews9] [TU]

Albany police say a man tried to rob the Citizens Bank on Washington Ave yesterday -- and then turned himself in. [WTEN] [Fox23]

Watervliet police say two suspects have been arrested for last week's bank robbery. [Troy Record]

A judge has rejected the plea deal in the case of the Hoosick animal control officer accused taking and killing dogs. [WTEN]

The huge plane flying over I-787 yesterday was a military tanker practicing maneuvers. [Troy Record]

Andrew Cuomo's birthday fundraiser -- featuring a performance by Bon Jovi -- also included a surprise appearance by David Paterson. [NYDN] [NYP]

Albany County DA David Soares had to stop for a new shirt on his way to a White House holiday party -- because he spilled coffee on the shirt he was wearing. [TU]

Students at Emma Willard have been performing variations on the same play every year for 94 years. [TU]