Rochester finance director charged with DWI

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Charles A. Benincasa, 59, Rochester’s finance director, was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated.

About 8:40 p.m., State Police monitoring police radio heard a report of a hit and run collision at the McDonald’s Restaurant on Culver Road in Rochester.

A few minutes later, they assisted a Rochester Police officer who stopped Benincasa’s vehicle about three blocks away on Ohio Street and placed him under arrest, according to State Police.

Police later learned that no collision had actually occurred.

Benincasa was taken to the State Police station on Scottsville Road, processed and released. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the DWI charge in Rochester city court on March 24.

City spokesman James Smith said Benincasa won’t face any additional disciplinary action from the city.

“It happened outside of his official capacity, outside of work hours,” Smith said.

“This was on his own time in his private vehicle. This is an issue that he’s going to have to deal with himself,” Smith said.

“The city does offer an employee assistance program. If any employee is struggling with alcohol or any other substance abuse issues it’s available,” Smith said.