Montgomery County deputy focus of ‘possible felony theft’ of FOP funds

UPDATE @ 7 p.m. (Sept. 12): Montgomery County sheriff's deputies are investigating whether one of their own is behind "discrepancies in the books" at their union lodge, Sheriff Phil Plummer said Monday.

Deputy Joseph P. Caito III, the office’s canine handler and lodge treasurer, is on paid administrative leave pending a criminal and internal investigation into the misuse of up to $60,000 of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #104’s funds, Plummer said.

The sheriff said Caito admitted to lodge membership he stole $26,000 and “is in the process of admitting his fault” for alleged actions over the past two years.

“It’s been brought to our attention there are some discrepancies going on there, so he’s under investigation for a possible felony theft,” Plummer said. “There will be a criminal investigation first and then an internal investigation.”

Caito, who has been with the sheriff’s office for a decade, has not been criminally charged.

Plummer stressed the money in question is not taxpayer dollars and is strictly union money. Nevertheless, the sheriff expressed disappointment in the deputy’s alleged actions.

“It’s just sad this could be a theft,” Plummer said, alleging Caito “stole from his own brothers.”

“Unfortunately he had total control and no oversight,” the sheriff said, noting the investigation will likely take several weeks.

Federal court records reviewed by the Dayton Daily News show Caito has a history of litigation related to finances.

• In October 2006, shortly after joining the sheriff's office, Caito sued Fifth Third Bank in U.S. District Court, complaining the Cincinnati-based bank was "reporting erroneous information" about his finances to credit bureaus. The bank denied the accusations. The case, during which Caito represented himself, was referred to a magistrate and dismissed with prejudice.
• In December 2011, Caito and his wife filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, during which Caito surrendered to creditors an inoperable 1967 Pontiac Firebird and a 2010 Dodge Charger SXT. U.S. Bankruptcy Court records show the couple emerged from Chapter 7 in April 2013.

Plummer said he was not aware of the newspaper’s findings about Caito’s bankruptcy.

“If he did (file for bankruptcy) and we were not aware of that, he has another policy violation,” Plummer said. “That will all be part of the internal investigation.”

In October 2012, a Butler County Jail inmate sued three deputies — including Caito — for an incident said to have taken place during a December 2011 arrest in Dayton. The complainant, Adam Glowka, claimed Caito “punched me in the face very hard and fast three times, and said, ‘You piece of (expletive), you made us miss Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our families.’”

The 2012 case was settled and dismissed with prejudice this year, U.S. District Court records show.

Caito formerly served as a reserve police officer in the German Twp. Police Department before joining the sheriff’s office in February 2006. Court documents indicate he served at least one tour of duty overseas in the armed forces.

Attempts to reach Caito and other lodge leadership Monday were unsuccessful.

Caito earned a gross pay of $86,518 in 2015, according to the Dayton Daily News I-Team Payroll Project.

News Center 7’s Caroline Reinwald contributed reporting.

FIRST REPORT (Sept. 12)

Montgomery County sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Caito III is under investigation and has been put on administrative leave.

Caito is accused of misusing up to $60,000 in Fraternal Order of Police funds, we learned Monday.

A letter dated Sept. 9 from the personnel director states that Caito “may have violated Sheriff’s Office Professional Rules of Conduct.” He was placed on paid administrative leave.

“Effective immediately, Sheriff Phil Plummer is suspending your privilege to act in the office capacity as a law enforcement officer,” the letter states.

Caito had to surrender his weapon, badges, cruiser, canine and cell phone, among other items.

We are working to get you more details about the story.

Click here to download our free