Two Mountain View Police Department officers are in hot water after being investigated for falsely claiming overtime hours and collecting thousands of dollars in unearned wages. According to the news report, the two officers falsified their time sheets to claim many hours of overtime and receive the corresponding pay. One of the officers allegedly used grant money to give himself $24,935 and his co-worker $2,735, neither of which earned the income. Both men are being held in the Jefferson County Jail on $10,000 bond and are facing charges of Forgery, Theft, Embezzlement of Public Property, and Attempting to Influence a Public Servant.
Weld County Forgery Attorney: What is the Definition of Forgery?
The Colorado Law definition of Forgery – C.R.S. 18-5-102 – is:
(a) Part of an issue of money, stamps, securities, or other valuable instruments issued by a government or government agency; or
(b) Part of an issue of stock, bonds, or other instruments representing interests in or claims against a corporate or other organization or its property; or
(c) A deed, will, codicil, contract, assignment, commercial instrument, promissory note, check, or other instrument which does or may evidence, create, transfer, terminate, or otherwise affect a legal right, interest, obligation, or status; or
(d) A public record or an instrument filed or required by law to be filed or legally fileable in or with a public office or public servant; or
(e) A written instrument officially issued or created by a public office, public servant, or government agency; or
(f) Part of an issue of tokens, transfers, certificates, or other articles manufactured and designed for use in transportation fees upon public conveyances, or as symbols of value usable in place of money for the purchase of property or services available to the public for compensation; or
(g) Part of an issue of lottery tickets or shares designed for use in the lottery held pursuant to part 2 of article 35 of title 24, C.R.S.; or
(h) A document-making implement that may be used or is used in the production of a false identification document or in the production of another document-making implement to produce false identification documents.
The men are facing this class 5 felony charge for allegedly falsifying a written instrument created by a government agency – a timesheet for the police department. A conviction on this charge in Weld, Morgan, and Logan County is punishable by 1 to 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $100,000 in fines.
Greeley Embezzlement of Public Property Lawyer: What is the Definition of Embezzlement of Public Property?
The Colorado law definition of Embezzlement of Public Property – C.R.S. 18-8-407 – is:
Also a class 5 felony, this crime was charged because the men unlawfully came into possession of money belonging to the state for their own personal use. If these men are convicted of this crime, they will never be allowed to be a police officer in Greeley, Erie, Evans, or any city or county in Colorado again, or even hold a position of trust.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Forgery or Embezzlement of Public Property, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Forgery defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 today. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Source: Pixabay-aitoff