Caito, 35, who became his union’s treasurer in 2014, pleaded guilty in December to fourth-degree felony grand theft from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 104. The union was left with 47 cents in its account.
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“I want to sincerely apologize to the FOP, both active and retired members,” Caito said. “I’m extremely ashamed of myself. I’ve owned my mistake from the very beginning.”
The agreed restitution amount was $92,148.21 — which Caito paid by liquidating his pension — but union leaders said the actual loss was closer to $114,000. In his client’s sentencing memo, defense attorney Frank Malocu said his wife’s illness and medical issues put stress on the family’s finances.
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“I want to apologize to my family and friends for putting them through this with me, especially my wife and kids,” Caito said. “They’ve paid a heavy price for my actions.”
Judge Dennis Langer also ordered Caito to serve an additional 30 days on electronic monitoring after he gets out of jail June 13 and to serve 200 hours of community service. Caito will be on community control for up to five years and must permanently surrender his Ohio peace officer certification.
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“Stealing $92,000 from his fellow law enforcement officers (deserved) a sentence in which there had to be some incarceration,” Montgomery County assistant prosecutor Ward Barrentine said.
“It is a little unusual when (a case) involves a fellow law enforcement officer, but what you have to understand is the investigating agency — in this case the sheriff’s office — takes these case extremely seriously.”
Malocu didn’t comment after the sentencing but wrote in a memo that Caito was a decorated veteran who served in Iraq, was a K-9 handler and who has three siblings all in local law enforcement agencies.
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Malocu wrote that his client is “truly remorseful” and that he “violated the trust of the Lodge and his family and he is deeply sorry for what he did.”
The attorney wrote that Caito has a wife who had filed for divorce but is now attempting reconciliation and four children, some who have struggled with the attention from Caito’s case.
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“Due to his actions, he lost a wonderful career, pension, dog, reputation and almost his family,” Malocu wrote, adding that “Caito is an excellent candidate for Community Control Sanctions.”
Union president Darren Harvey wrote in a letter attached to the prosecutor’s sentencing memorandum that he hoped Caito would serve jail time and that Caito’s actions caused some members to quit the union and gave police “a black eye in public opinion.”
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