1 week ago
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ARTICLE AD BOX
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - A erstwhile Farmersville Police Sergeant was charged aft helium was recovered to person embezzled wealth from the department's explorer program, the Tulare County District Attorney's Office announced.
The DA states from 2018 to 2023, it is alleged that 51-year-old Rafael "Ralph" Vasquez embezzled astir $35,000 utilizing integer transfers to his idiosyncratic relationship for his idiosyncratic benefit.
Court records uncover the funds came from the Farmersville Police Department’s explorer programme and the Farmersville Police Officer’s Association. In some organizations, Vasquez served arsenic advisor and treasurer.
The probe began successful August 2023, attorneys authorities erstwhile Farmersville Police Chief Jay Brock contacted the DA's bureau with his concerns. The DA's Bureau of Investigations Forensic Fraud Unit began an probe into allegations of embezzlement; interviewing existent and erstwhile metropolis employees and serving hunt warrants to slope statements, integer images, and videos.
The DA says Vasquez was charged connected Monday with 2 counts of felony expansive theft by embezzlement and 2 counts of felony expansive theft.
Officials study Vasquez surrendered himself to transgression investigators connected Wednesday and was booked and released connected a $60,000 bail. His arraignment is scheduled successful Superior Court connected Jan. 9 2025.
If convicted connected each charges, attorneys authorities Vazquez could look up to 3 years successful section jailhouse successful summation to restitution. Under existent law, the charges are not eligible for a authorities situation commitment.
This probe is ongoing and anyone with further accusation regarding this lawsuit is asked to interaction the Tulare County District Attorney's Bureau of Investigations astatine 559-636-5410.
