County Correction Officer Cleared Of Criminal Charges, Returns To Work

Oriskany, NY (WIBX) - An Oneida County correction officer who was on unpaid leave for 19 months has returned to work.

Peter DiNardo faced a non-jury trial this week on allegations of possessing and selling steroids. Judge Barry Donalty dismissed the charges, and DiNardo reported back to work yesterday, according to Oneida County Undersheriff Robert Swenszkowski.

The criminal investigation, handled by State Police, is seperate from the department's internal investigation, Swenszkowski said.

The undersheriff said the internal probe is complete but said the results will not be disclosed. He did say the investigation is in the 'disciplinary phase'.

Another Oneida County correction officer charged in the same State Police investigation, Zachary Lazore, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance last year. Lazore was sentenced to probation and lost his job with the sheriff's office.