An Albany County sheriff’s investigator faces misdemeanor charges after allegedly misusing the department’s Flock license plate reader system to track her former girlfriend and other acquaintances thousands of times.

Laurie Moore, 47, a 13-year veteran and senior investigator in the criminal investigations unit, was arrested Wednesday on counts of official misconduct and second-degree falsifying business records. She is accused of conducting more than 4,000 unauthorized searches, including roughly 3,000 on her ex-girlfriend’s vehicle and hundreds more on the plates of four former acquaintances, none tied to legitimate law enforcement purposes.

Sheriff Craig Apple announced the arrest at a news conference Wednesday. An outside source alerted the office to irregularities on Friday, prompting an immediate audit of Flock system use. The review initially flagged about 200 questionable searches on one vehicle before expanding to reveal the full scope of more than 4,000 entries dating back to late 2024, when Moore gained access. Moore also allegedly accessed state Department of Motor Vehicles records for unofficial reasons and provided false justifications for some queries.

Moore has been suspended indefinitely pending further administrative action. She is scheduled to appear in New Scotland Town Court at 5 p.m. on Sept. 24. A separate member of the sheriff’s command staff was placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation continues. Apple stated investigators found no evidence that other employees misused the system.

The case highlights accountability measures within the Albany County Sheriff’s Office following the tip that initiated the probe. Apple described the incident as a breach of public trust in the responsible use of surveillance technology but noted the department’s response demonstrates its commitment to holding violators responsible.