GREENFIELD — Former Leyden Police Chief Daniel Galvis was in Greenfield District Court on Monday to answer to larceny charges involving town-owned police equipment.

Galvis pleaded not guilty to two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle, two counts of larceny over $1,200, and three counts of violating the standards of conduct for public employees. Galvis is alleged to have improperly taken possession of equipment owned by the Leyden Police Department, and of having sold some of those items without returning the proceeds to the town.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the state Office of the Inspector General. The probe began in March 2022 following a complaint made to the OIG’s Fraud Hotline. The investigation concluded that Galvis was responsible for the theft of a skid steer loader, a motor, a trailer and a Ford truck. Galvis allegedly took the equipment between 2018 and 2021. He retired as police chief in October 2021.

“It is an affront to the community when a public official violates their oath of office to enrich themselves, as is alleged in this case,” Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro said in a statement. “I am most appreciative that District Attorney [David] Sullivan and his team brought forward this prosecution and know its significance to the people of Leyden. I hope that the work done by the OIG investigators underscores our commitment to protect public resources from fraud, waste or abuse.”

The personal possession of surplus military equipment by Galvis has been the subject of controversy in recent years and the issue was raised by town residents during a visit by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell to Leyden last August. Selectboard Chair Glenn Caffery said Monday’s arraignment made him feel “a whole variety of things,” including pride in Leyden and its resolve. He said the town was in a hole and “we’ve been digging ourselves out of it.”

Caffery also expressed gratitude to the state Office of the Inspector General as well as Ginger Robinson, the Leyden Finance Committee chair who years ago “started seeing something was seriously off.”

“She was definitely the one that was in the lead early on when things were really murky,” Caffery said, adding that Robinson inspired him to run for the Selectboard. “I am just forever grateful for her.”

Judge William Mazanec III released Galvis on personal recognizance and continued the case until June 21. Galvis is represented by defense attorney James McCall. Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Atallah is prosecuting the case alongside the Office of the Inspector General.

Efforts to reach McCall were unsuccessful by press time on Monday.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or
413-930-4120.