BRONX - District Attorney Robert Johnson Sunday announced that a New York City Correction Officer has admitted that he wrongfully collected over two thousand dollars in paid leave from his job on Rikers Island.

Johnson said that William Walsh, 47, of Coram, New York, pled guilty to one count of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the 2nd degree, a Class D felony offense.

The guilty plea was entered before Acting State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett who set sentencing for Monday, September 15, 2008.  Under terms of the plea agreement, Walsh must make full restitution to the NYC Department of Correction in the amount of $2,016 by the day of sentencing.  Justice Barrett has indicated that once restitution is made Walsh will be given a Conditional Discharge.

Walsh, a member of the New York State Army National Guard, was arrested last June 2007 and charged with multiple felony offenses following a joint investigation by the New York City Department of Investigation and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.  Walsh admitted that he had submitted fraudulent military leave paperwork to his superiors at the Department of Correction in order to get paid for 11 days that he did not report for work purportedly because of scheduled military drills.