A former trooper claimed he was shot in the line of duty. Officials say he made it all up.

A former New York State Police trooper is being charged after officials said he shot himself in the leg and pretended someone else did it.

Former Trooper Thomas J. Mascia, 27, has been charged with tampering with physical evidence, a class E felony, as well as class A misdemeanors falsely reporting an incident and official misconduct, New York State Police said in a press release.

According to officials, investigators searched Mascia’s home a few days after he made the false report and found an illegal gun in his parents’ bedroom, as well as about $800,000. 

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James spoke at a press conference Monday and said that the younger Mascia’s employment with the department had ended as of Friday.

His father is a former New York City police officer, according to the New York Times. Officials said his father is a convicted felon who is not allowed to possess a firearm. 

His parents, 62-year-old Thomas Mascia Sr. and 55-year-old Dorothy Mascia, were each charged with one count of criminal possession of a firearm, a class E felony, state police said.

The charges come after an Oct. 30 incident where Mascia reported he’d been shot in the leg. He made the claim around 11:45 p.m. that night, adding that the shooting happened while he was checking on a disabled vehicle in the median on the Southern State Parkway westbound.

Mascia was taken to the hospital for treatment while investigators tried to find the vehicle he had described in his report, state police said.

Jeffrey Lichtman, a lawyer representing the Mascia family, sent Paste BN a statement Tuesday morning about the charges.

“This case is a tragedy that was caused by unseen and untreated mental health issues," Lichtman wrote. "The shooting was not the first time Tom harmed himself while on duty and somehow he was permitted to stay on the job without having any psychological treatment.  And now his entire family is suffering for it as they usually do in such situations.”

Investigation finds former trooper lied about shooting

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly spoke at the press conference Monday to update the public on the case, noting that Mascia was assigned to State Police Troop L from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. It was his first day on patrol for that troop, Donnelly said.

New York State Police Superintendent James also gave some details on what the former trooper reported during the press conference.

“He was patrolling the parkway westbound when he spotted, as he indicated, a dark vehicle in the median,” James said. “He said he pulled up to the vehicle, behind it, he got out, and he started to approach the vehicle.”

According to Mascia’s report, he heard “several pops,” James said. The vehicle allegedly fled the scene.

After Mascia made a call claiming shots had been fired, there was “a tremendous response from state and local law enforcement, including the New York State Police, the Nassau County Police, the New Jersey State Police, the Newark Police Department and the Delaware Police officials who were trying to track down the shooter,” said District Attorney Donnelly.

Mascia was eventually released from the hospital, prompting law enforcement officials to celebrate his anticipated recovery, Donnelly said, adding that officials were determined to find the person who shot him.

But that wouldn’t happen because the person doesn’t exist, Donnelly said.

“The shooter that we were all looking for only existed in Mascia’s head, in his imagination,” she said.

Superintendent James said state police do not approve of what the former trooper did.

“This is an egregious act that occurred that not only triggered a massive response throughout the community, but it harmed the reputation of law enforcement in general,” James said. We will not let one individual's actions overshadow the commitment and dedication of the thousands of troopers in law enforcement who tirelessly perform their duties.”

What evidence did authorities find?

According to Donnelly, there was no physical evidence found. 

“Nine shell casings but no projectiles were found at the scene,” she said. “No tire marks, not a single video that showed the Dodge Charger Mascia claimed belonged to his shooter ever driving on any of the roads that we had video for.”

She also referred to “questionable actions by Mascia” that were caught on his body camera, adding that he did not try to flag down a vehicle for help. She also said there was no record of a disabled vehicle made to emergency services. 

When pressed by local media for details on these questionable actions, Donnelly said the camera did not turn on immediately and when it did, it appeared it was being covered.

“The evidence uncovered and the absence of evidence told us everything we needed to know,” she said. “It didn't take long for everyone to uncover that his harrowing story was nothing more than an elaborate work of fiction,” she said.

She added that his “selfish act” wasted resources from multiple law enforcement agencies as well.

Officer joined New York State Police in 2019

According to Superintendent James, Mascia was first hired by the New York State Police in 2019. He spent time as an Academy Training Officer for 28 weeks, then started working as a road patrol trooper.

Local media asked officials if they noticed anything off putting in his record prior to hiring him.

“There were no apparent red flags,” James said. 

Mascia could serve one to three years in upstate prison, officials said. 

He and his parents were arraigned in district court Monday and released. They have court appearances at 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 5, state police said. 

Saleen Martin is a reporter on Paste BN's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.