LaPlante makes $46,399.66 restitution in theft of school equipment

Warwick Beacon ·

David LaPlante, the former director of school building and grounds who was charged with misappropriating more than $70,000 in school materials and equipment, pleaded nolo to charges on April 4 and sentenced to five years suspended with five years of probation. He also made restitution of $46,399.66, which was paid in full on the day of the plea, according to the office of the attorney general.

LaPlante’s actions came under scrutiny in December 2015 while he was on vacation and out of the country. In an effort to reconcile purchase orders, department personnel were unable to locate equipment bought from one of several vendors.

According to Beacon reports at the time, Superintendent Philip Thornton notified police, and their investigation reportedly unveiled cases in which LaPlante picked up materials for delivery to various school jobs. Allegedly, the materials never made it to the schools. In other situations, according to Anthony Ferrucci, the district’s chief budget officer, LaPlante would create orders for jobs that didn’t exist and pick up the materials ordered from vendors.

LaPlante, who started work for the department 10 years ago as the director of energy – a position that no longer exists – was paid $100,913. When irregularities with purchases came to light, the School Committee fired LaPlante on Dec. 9.

Police exercised two warrants to retrieve items from the LaPlante home at 100 Fairway Lane. According to Thornton, more than four truckloads of items, including a dishwasher, were removed from the house. Many of those items were returned to the department.

Special Assistant Attorney General Sara Pierson prosecuted the case.