This city worker was clearly running on empty.
A Sanitation Department plumber who allegedly stole 240 gallons of gasoline from his employer — and dangerously hoarded it in plastic bottles in his home — has lost his job and been slapped with a $4,000 fine, it was disclosed Wednesday.
John DiBerardino pilfered the fuel from his workplace over a six- month period starting last year, sneaking it to his Staten Island home in small containers in a city-owned truck, officials said.
Police stumbled on the potentially explosive disaster in April after DiBerardino’s neighbors reported smelling gas.
The gasoline had been stored in 44 open plastic containers, including large Poland Spring water- cooler bottles.
DiBerardino allegedly told police after his arrest he’d been stockpiling the gas in case of another Hurricane Sandy-style fuel shortage.
Criminal charges are still pending. DiBerardino agreed to resign as part of the settlement with the Conflicts of Interest Board.