Custodian allegedly stole $100,000

NEW YORK — An Edward A. Reynolds West Side High School custodian is accused of organizing a payroll scheme that allowed him to steal nearly $100,000 from the New York City Department of Education, according to WNYC-AM.


Philip Portelli allegedly clocked two fellow custodians for overtime and lunch breaks they did not earn between 2006 and 2008, the story stated.


The Special Commissioner of Investigations for the city schools Richard Condon claims Portelli had a friend who was not employed as a custodian submit W2s; the friend received paychecks and even paid taxes, the story noted.


According to the story, New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau's office is reviewing the case.


Portelli has been reassigned to a different school to avoid complications during the investigation; he has not yet been formally charged, the story added.