UTICA, N.Y. — Former Utica mayor Louis LaPolla, 78, of Utica, was indicted on six counts of mail fraud, according to U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Alfred A. Watson, acting special agent in charge of the Albany Field Office of the FBI.
The indictment alleges that LaPolla, who also served as president of the Utica City School District Board, set up a scholarship fund in honor of his late wife, Andrea LaPolla, after she passed away in 2018 with the stated intention of benefitting district students who planned to pursue post-secondary education in health-related fields.
According to the indictment, LaPolla allegedly received tens of thousands of dollars in donations for the scholarship fund from individuals and businesses but spent nearly all of the donated money on himself rather than depositing it into the scholarship fund.
LaPolla served as Utica’s mayor from 1984-1995 and president of the school board from 2018-2022, following 21 years of service as a board member.
The charges against LaPolla carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1.5 million, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Following his arrest on the charges and initial appearance in federal court on Friday (Sept. 22), LaPolla was released on conditions pending his trial.
The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the New York State Police and the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry is prosecuting the case.