Stamford Firefighter Arrested on Forgery Charges

A 46-year-old firefighter and his son were arrested Friday following an investigation that involved federal authorities, a city official said Friday.

Gary Bivona, 46, of Cypress Drive and a career Stamford firefighter, was arrested and charged with first-degree forgery and possession of drug paraphernalia. His son, Joseph Michael Bivona, 18, was also arrested. He faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, sale if a controlled substance, illegal possession of narcotics and operation of a drug factory.

During an investigation by the Stamford Narcotics & Organized Crime Unit focusing on Joseph Michael Bivona, police witnessed drug sales at 3 Cypress Drive and executed a search warrant at the location, according to Capt. Richard Conklin.

While investigating the home, police found a quarter-pound of marijuana, two grams of cocaine, an electronic digital scale, packaging materials, bongs, mason jars and $840 in cash, Conklin said.

While Joseph Michael Bivona was the focus of the investigation, Conklin said, in Gary Bivona's bedroom they discovered a grinder used for marijuana wrapped in his clothing and a bong during the execution of the search warrant.

Also in the basement of the home, police allegedly discovered a number of dollar bills in metal trays being soaked in solutions that would wash away the ink of the bills. Conklin said this process is used to print new values on top of the bill paper.

Conklin said a number of chemicals were recovered from the home, including Comet gel cleaner, acetone, hydrogen peroxide and an unknown granular solvent.

It was at this point the Secret Service became involved in the investigation and arrest of Gary Bivona, Conklin said, stating federal authorities expressed forfeiture of money as a rising problem in the area. Stamford government officials said he has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a court case.

Joseph turned himself into police Thursday and was released on $25,000 bond. Gary turned himself in Friday morning and was scheduled to be arraigned later that afternoon in state Superior Court in Stamford. He had been held on $50,000, police said.

This is a developing story. Check back with Patch for any updates.