The Port Washington Police Department reports that they arrested Town of North Hempstead parking meter attendant Roy M. Diogo. The 44-year-old Westbury resident is charged with three counts each of petit larceny and official misconduct.

Allegedly, when parkers who had been issued tickets and innocently asked Diogo what they should do with them, he told them that he "would take care of it for them." He collected money from them and then pocketed it. When the parkers eventually received those pesky and expensive reminders of their outstanding tickets from the Parking Violations Bureau, they knew they had been duped and filed complaints.

Under the Civil Service Laws, Diogo was given the maximum suspension without pay, which is 30 days. Legally, he's presumed innocent until proven guilty. Obviously, if convicted, he will lose his job. The Port Washington Police Department released him on an appearance ticket.

Commenting on the incident, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger said she hopes that if town employees are having difficulties, they avail themselves of the ethics and awareness program. The town devised this program to help town code enforcement employees with personal problems, so that they do not have to resort to criminal activities. "The program is designed to curb abuses before they become criminal matters," noted the Supervisor.