Tacoma lieutenant under investigation for allegedly falsifying time reports, costing thousands

TACOMA, Wash. — A Tacoma Police Department lieutenant is under investigation for allegedly falsifying time reports that could have led to a payout of tens of thousands of dollars.

The investigation began after an audit according to a source who asked not to be identified. KIRO 7 has learned the target of the investigation is suspected of failing to report vacation time that was used and paid for by the department. Under the department's contract with officers unused vacation time would carry over when the lieutenant retired and be paid out to him in cash when he left the department.

The source says the audit identified as much as $20,000 in vacation time used but not reported over a three year period.

Once the discrepancy was found the department turned the case over to the Washington State Patrol for an independent investigation. Spokesperson Chris Loftis tells KIRO 7 the State Patrol is investigating a Tacoma Police officer at the request of the department. He could not provide any additional information.

According to the source the lieutenant has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Tacoma police spokesperson Officer Wendy Haddow said the department cannot comment on or provide information on investigations involving department personnel matters.

Cox Media Group