A longtime Vermont State Police trooper placed on paid administrative leave

A longtime Vermont State Police trooper currently assigned to patrol Chittenden and Lamoille counties has been placed on paid administrative leave following a complaint that items are missing from a property room at the state police barracks in Williston, authorities said. Trooper Giancarlo DiGenova of Essex has served with the state police for a total of about 11 years in Northern Vermont. The department placed him on leave Dec. 19. The case centers on a Rolex wristwatch, valued in excess of $12,000, and some other personal items that state police took into possession following a drug arrest earlier this year, according to those with knowledge about the investigation, but not authorized to speak about it. A top state police criminal investigator from Southern Vermont has been assigned to the criminal case to avoid any conflict of interest. A separate internal affairs investigation is also underway. Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison, who placed DiGenova on paid administrative leave last week, is unable to comment on the case because any potential discipline may go through her office.