A police car.

A Gloversville man has been arrested, accused of stealing nearly $85,000 in disability benefits while working full time at the VA in Albany, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Edmond Anadio, 64, of Gloversville, was arrested Monday and charged with falsely claiming disability benefits, prosecutors said.

He is accused of taking the money between 2021 and 2024 by claiming he was disabled when he was working full time for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Albany, prosecutors said.

He took early retirement from the VA earlier this year.

Anadio was arraigned Monday and released for further proceedings later.

“Edmond Anadio had a position of public trust and was well compensated for it — he worked for the VA earning over $100,000 a year,” acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said in a statement. “But that wasn’t enough, and he also pocketed up to $30,000 a year in disability benefits. My office has no tolerance for anyone who steals public money, let alone while also taking a paycheck from the taxpayer. We are glad he is no longer working for the VA and are prosecuting this case vigorously.”

The charge of submitting a false application for disability benefits carries a maximum term upon conviction of five years in prison, officials said.

Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General is investigating with assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Walter is prosecuting.

The Gloversville Educational Foundation in partnership with local non-profit LaShawn’s Heart and the Gloversville Public Library gave out hundreds of backpacks to students Tuesday during its sixth annual backpack giveaway at Trail Station Park.

The backpacks were filled with pencils, pens, notebooks and other back-to-school supplies, which were given out on a first-come first-serve basis. As of 2 p.m., Tuesday, LaShawn’s Heart founder LaShawn Hawkins said more than 700 backpacks had been given out.

“It’s the best feeling ever,” she said. “This is like the best thing, aside from Christmas, that I do. [It’s] the best to see so many kids knowing that they’re gonna go to school, they got nice, nice backpacks.”

Attendees enjoyed a picnic-style lunch, as well as face painting and a coloring station that was provided by Target. The Gloversville Police Department was also on-site providing student IDs.

Gloversville Enlarged School District Superintendent David Halloran was in attendance, and said it’s always a positive experience seeing the community help its local youth prior to the school year.

“I obviously love seeing the relationship between the school district, the community partners, and ... the families we serve, it’s always a happy occasion,” he said. “People seem to be excited [to go] back to school [this] time of year, and being able to provide people with some of the essential school supplies — save them a little money — is always a nice feeling.”

Regan Baker and her daughter, Julia, snagged a backpack during the event and relaxed under the sun.

“Everyone’s having a hard time,” she said. “It takes a lot of burden off our shoulders ... I’m very thankful.”

Volunteer Lynn Makrin and her 15-year-old son, Ryan, could........

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