Jail Time for Orange County Man Who Embezzled over $120,000 From Local Politicians

A former Orange County Republican Committee Chairman who admitted in court to stealing around $120,000 worth of campaign funds from local politicians will serve jail time.

Carmen Dubaldi, 48, of New Windsor previously served as campaign treasurer for three Orange County elected officials, former County Executive Edward Diana, Senator William Larkin and Orange County Clerk Annie Rabbitt.

In late 2015, abnormalities in their campaign accounts were brought to the attention of Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. Hoovler, also an Orange County elected official, cited a potential conflict of interest and the investigation was turned over to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.

According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, between Jan. 1, 2008 and June of 2015, Dubaldi stole around $90,000 from former County Executive Edward Diana’s campaign account, approximately $28,000 from Senator Larkin’s campaign account and approximately $3,000 from County Clerk Rabbitt’s campaign account.

Due to his lack of prior criminal history, and input from the victims, the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office was said have recommended 5 years probation and a $10,000 fine.

In Orange County Court by the Hon. Edward McLoughlin sentenced Dubaldi to 1 – 3 years in state prison.

Prior to sentencing Dubaldi paid full restitution as well as reimbursement for the costs of the forensic analysis.

Judge McLoughlin, in sentencing Dubaldi to state prison, noted that although he did pay back the money in his judgment the amount of the thefts and the number of thefts over such a long period of time, warranted the state prison sentence.