A longtime Vermont State Police trooper placed on paid administrative leave

WILLISTON — 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 two stints 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.