Politics & Government

Rye Auxiliary Cop Accused of Felony Fraud Tied to Rye City Bid

The Port Chester resident and White Plains store owner allegedly falsified a warranty related to a Rye police department bid.

A current Rye city auxiliary police officer, John Holmes, is accused of falsifying information in his bid to win a Rye city contract, according to the Westchester County District Attorney’s office. Holmes, a Port Chester resident, allegedly submitted a fraudulent letter of warranty to the Rye Police Department in a bid for his White Plains-based police and fire uniform company New England Sportswear to win a contract to supply the city police force with new uniforms.

The Rye city council awarded the bid to Holmes’ New England Sportswear on March 20 at the end of a four-hour meeting and after the third time they had discussed the bids. During that meeting, City Corporation Counsel Kristen Wilson and City Manager Scott Pickup recommended the council award the bid to New England Sportswear because it was the lowest responsible bidder. Wilson and Pickup said that Holmes was a current unpaid auxiliary police officer and there was no potential conflict of interest because he was unpaid.

When pressed by Councilman Joe Sack about Holmes' relationship to New England Sportswear, Wilson said she was unsure other than that he had "some sort of financial interest." Apparently, she and Pickup were unaware he is the owner of the store. 

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All council members except Sack approved the resolution to award the bid to Holmes’ company. "I don't think we can afford to have this appearance, based on the history we have had," Sack said referring to the police connection. No one questioned the warranties. You can watch this eight minute conversation here. Read the allegedly false warranty documents in the PDF attached to this article on the last few pages. 

Holmes, 53, who lives at 4 Francis Lane, Port Chester, was arraigned in Westchseter County court today on the felony complaint charging him with:

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  • one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, class “E” Felony,
  • one count of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class “E” Felony.

in his bid to win the Rye police uniform contract.

On March 4, 2013, Holmes allegedly submitted a fraudulent letter of warranty for products sold by Blauer Manufacturing Inc., a Massachusetts public safety clothing manufacturer, in support of the bid submission to the Rye police department.

The product warranty was a requirement for the City of Rye to award the uniform contract.

The defendant submitted a letter ostensibly drafted by the owner of Blauer Manufacturing Inc. and addressed to “Jack” at New England Sportswear indicating that “Blauer will provide a warranty on new garments purchased that its styles will be free from defects in workmanship or materials for a period of one year provided the garments are properly cared for, used, cleaned and following care tag labels.” 

The defendant knew the warranty was not provided by Blauer and further knew that New England Sportswear is not an authorized vendor for products sold by Blauer. 

Bail was set at $1,500 cash or bond. 

Holmes’ next court date is May 7th, 2013.

 He faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Conway, Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau is prosecuting the case.

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