Schenectady

A veteran Schenectady County sheriff's deputy who earned the most money on the force last year was demoted from lieutenant to sergeant for allegedly taking home a flat screen TV that was confiscated as evidence in a Schenectady drug raid, according to people familiar with the situation.

Jason Temple, a K-9 officer with the department's road patrol unit, is also on the revived marine patrol unit of the Mohawk River that will work when the casino and harbor with boat slips in Schenectady open in 2017.

Temple said the demotion was "more of a personal matter" when asked about the accusation that he took the television.

"I have some personal issues at home," said Temple. His Facebook page indicates he lives in Colonie and is married.

Asked about the accusation, Schenectady County Sheriff Dominic Dagostino spoke in general about an "incident involving a violation of our property protocols."

"We've investigated it, probably about two to three weeks ago discipline was meted out, and we've moved on from it," he said, declining to say if the internal probe and discipline involved Temple.

The seized flat screen TV was apparently not logged as inventory when it was taken to the substation in Princetown where the department's drug unit is based, according to individuals who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to publicly speak on personnel matters.

Temple was confronted and accused of taking the TV to his home. Temple agreed to return the TV.

Temple supplemented his base pay of $76,364 with $75,626 in overtime pay plus $5,996 in extras for a total of $157,986.

pnelson@timesunion.com • 518-454-5347