Ontario County corrections officer charged with eavesdropping

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – A corrections officer in Ontario County is under arrest. Sheriff David Cirencione said the corrections officer is accused of using an electronic device to spy on people’s conversations.

The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation and the officer was charged with eavesdropping and official misconduct. The officer is a 20-year veteran of the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division. He was suspended without pay.

Cirencione announced the charges at a Wednesday press conference.

Officials would not say why they believe Adam Broadwell was eavesdropping or the nature of these conversations. But, they do believe this was a regular occurrence in 2022.

It was brought to light after another deputy reported it in January of this year.

Adam Broadwell ,44, and a 20-year veteran in the Ontario County Corrections Division, is accused of listening in on private conversations while working at the courthouse. 

Again, no word on motive.

Sheriff David Cirencione says Broadwell listened in using an earpiece specifically designed to cut out background noises, and enhance other sound. Cirencione says this goes against everything a deputy stands for. News10NBC asked him how frustrating it is to have one of his deputies charged.

“We work hard to have a great reputation, earn the trust of the community we serve,” says Cirencione. “To have to stand before you today and say we’re in this place, is upsetting to me, the rest of our command staff, and to the rank and file that come to work and serve and protect everyday. There’s an expectation of privacy at the courthouse, with what we do, and again the conversations we have on a day to day basis, we expect to be able to have frank conversations and not have to worry about somebody listening in that’s not part of it.”

Broadwall has been suspended and could face up to four years in prison.