A Greenwich police officer has been charged with Medicaid fraud and police said he is on paid administrative leave.
State prosecutors say 45-year-old Michael Mastronardi, of Shelton, was arrested Wednesday.
Authorities said Mastronardi, an 18-year-veteran of the Greenwich police department, billed Medicaid for work as a personal care assistant between April 2014 and April 2019, including time when he was actually working for the police department.
Prosecutors said he was paid just over $57,000 for false claims.
Greenwich police said Mastronardi was placed on leave earlier this week, after the department was notified of the investigation and the charges are not related to his work as a police officer or with the town of Greenwich.
Mastronardi was in the news in 2015 when he helped deliver a baby at the home of a woman who was unable to make it to the hospital.
He has an unlisted telephone number and it was not clear Friday if he has hired an attorney.
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Mastronardi is free on a $100,000 bond and due in Hartford Superior Court on Aug. 21 to face charges including fraud and larceny.
“The Police Administration recognizes that the Officer is entitled to all established due process rights afforded him and, while ensuring the community’s continued public trust in the Department, will reserve judgment until such time that a through Internal Affairs investigation has been completed,” a statement from Greenwich police says.
