WADING RIVER VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER INDICTED FOR IMPERSONATING AN NYPD OFFICER

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the indictment of a former volunteer firefighter at the Wading River Fire Department, after she allegedly responded to shifts and a fire call wearing an NYPD uniform despite the fact that she is not a police officer, and then presented fraudulent documents during an investigation into the allegations.

"This defendant is alleged to have violated the trust of the Wading River community by falsely holding herself out to be a New York City Police Officer, and then compounding that misconduct by allegedly filing forged letters from two high-ranking public officials to conceal her original crime,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office supports the brave men and women in law enforcement, and part of that support is holding accountable those who would attempt to wrongfully benefit from their honor.” Mary Ortega, 46, of Wading River, is charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a Class D felony, three counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a Class E felony, three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E felony, and Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

According to the investigation, Ortega reported for shifts at the Wading River Fire Department and responded to a fire call wearing what appeared to be an NYPD uniform. Ortega was later found to be in possession of a fraudulent NYPD identification card and numerous pieces of fake NYPD attire.

In May 2022, Ortega was suspended by the Wading River Fire Department pending further investigation into her alleged employment by the NYPD. In response to her suspension, Ortega allegedly presented the Chief of Department with a forged NYPD identification card, a forged letter purportedly written and signed by State Senator Simcha Felder, and a forged letter purportedly written and signed by Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. Both letters falsely referred to Ortega as a sworn member of the NYPD and discussed Ortega’s fictitious assignment with an undercover gang and drug unit within the NYPD.

Subsequently, Ortega admitted that she had never been employed by the NYPD, nor had she ever held a volunteer position with the NYPD. She also admitted to purchasing the fraudulent NYPD identification card, a police shield, and other police attire online.

Ortega was arrested by investigators of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office on January 25, 2023 and arraigned before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei. The defendant pleaded not guilty and was released on her own recognizance. Her next court date is March 9, 2023. Ortega is being represented by Hailey Baldwin, Esq.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Amanda Scheier of the Public Corruption Bureau.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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