Erie County, PA Courthouse. Public domain.
The following was released from the Erie County District Attorney’s Office on Friday, Jan. 2nd:
Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz announces today that two individuals have been charged in connection with the alleged theft of county property while employed in supervisory positions within county government.
In July 2025, Erie County Controller Kyle Foust referred a theft investigation to the Erie County Detective Bureau involving Jeff Cudicio, the Director of County IT, and Nicholas Reynolds, County Library IT Supervisor.
The Erie County Detective Bureau commenced an investigation, which included interviews with county employees, a detailed review of financial and accounting records, and the execution of authorized computer and electronic data searches. The investigation revealed Cucido removed high-value graphic cards from the assigned county computers and replaced them with lower-value cards from employee’s personal equipment. The removed county owned graphic cards were then installed in employee’s home computers for personal use. The investigation also led to the recovery of a county-owned computer card from Reynold’s personal computer. The alleged conduct occurred between February 2025 through July 2025.
Cudico is charged with multiple counts of Unlawful Use of a Computer, Theft by Unlawful Taking, and Receiving Stolen Property. Reynolds is charged with one count of Receiving Stolen Property. Cudico was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Alison Scarpitti and released on his own recognizance. A preliminary hearing for Cudico and Reynolds is scheduled for February 4, 2026. As with all criminal cases, charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.