TROY, N.Y.-- A Troy Fire Department captain indicted on charges of stealing drugs at emergency scenes has retired, city officials said Tuesday.
Maurice Catel, 47, left the department after more than 20 years of service as he faces felony drug charges, Fire Chief Thomas Garrett confirmed.
Catel, of 19th Street, Watervliet, was indicted by a Rensselaer County grand jury in February on felony charges of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fourth-degree possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of official misconduct.
Catel's estranged wife tipped police to his alleged theft of hydrocodone from a residence in April 2006, according to the indictment and court testimony.
Catel was in the home in connection with his duties as a firefighter.
Catel, who is free on $10,000 bail, was suspended without pay for 30 days on March 8 as a result of the criminal charges. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Tom Scorsone, former president of the city firefighters union, was promoted to captain to fill the vacancy created by Catel's departure.
Republished with permission of the Times Union.
