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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The State Director of the USDA Rural Development Office has been placed on administrative leave while she faces accusations of shoplifting from a salon in downtown Syracuse.

Police say Jill Harvey has been charged with a misdemeanor for petit larceny. The incident happened back on March 21st at Industry Hair Salon in Syracuse's Armory Square.

Harvey was allegedly caught on a surveillance camera taking bottles of hair products and a bracelet. The owner of the salon says when he confronted her, Harvey denied stealing the products and tried to put them back. She was issued an appearance ticket and will be arraigned Wednesday in city court.

The president appointed her to the State Director job back in 2009. Before that, she worked as the Central and Northern New York regional director for Senator Charles Schumer.

A spokesperson for the USDA says Harvey is on administrative leave pending a fact-finding review of the incident.