ERIE — Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz recently announced 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 Director of County IT Jeff Cudicio and County Library IT Supervisor Nicholas Reynolds.
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 Cudicio removed high-value graphic cards from the assigned county computers and replaced them with lower-value cards from personal equipment. The removed county-owned graphic cards were then installed in home computers for personal use.
The investigation also led to the recovery of a county-owned computer card from Reynolds’ personal computer. The alleged theft occurred between February and July 2025.
Cudicio 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.
Cudicio was arraigned by District Judge Alison Scarpitti and released on his own recognizance. A preliminary hearing for Cudicio and Reynolds is scheduled for Feb. 4. As with all criminal cases, charges and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.