A former fire chief is facing criminal charges for having forged his credentials to operate the fire department’s drone. Michael J. Leonelli was arrested by New York State Police following an investigation that included the FAA and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Transportation.
Leonelli, 46, was the fire chief for the Caughdenoy Fire Department. The department reportedly asked Leonelli to provide either his drone license or his FAA Part 107 UAS Certificate. Police allege he provided them with a forged document. Leonelli is facing three charges, two of which are felonies. Forgery in the second degree and criminal possession of a forged instrument, both felonies. The third charge was forgery in the third degree, a misdemeanor.