Widespread embezzlement occurring in Fraternal Order of Police

Widespread embezzlement occurring in Fraternal Order of Police

By Lynda Carson — October 19, 2017

Recently in Newton, North Carolina, Timothy James Brewer, was accused of ripping off more than $110,000 from the Fraternal Order of Police, and based on the number of reports available across the nation, embezzlement occurring in the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) appears to be widespread.

According to Wikipedia, “The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is a fraternal organization consisting of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. It reports a membership of over 325,000 members organized in 2100 local chapters (lodges), organized into local lodges, state lodges, and the national Grand Lodge. The organization attempts to improve the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those they serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation.”

As large as the FOP is with around 325,000 members, and 2,100 local chapters (lodges) across the nation, according to public records and media reports, there appears to be widespread embezzlement occurring in the FOP. The FOP is made up of many nonprofit organizations all across the nation.

The FOP also has many corporate sponsors from many communities, stretching all across the country.

On September 26, 2017, the Department of Justice announced: “The former Treasurer of a Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, Timothy James Brewer, 63, of Newton, N.C., has been indicted on wire fraud charges for embezzling more than $110,000 from the non-profit organization, announced Jill Westmoreland Rose, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.  The federal grand jury returned the criminal indictment on September 19, 2017, and it was unsealed this morning following Brewer’s court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler.”

During March of 2017, the Department of Justice announced: Former Police Officer, Police Union President Arraigned on Fraud Charges: “Christopher Hayes, 49, of Middletown, R.I., a former Newport, R.I., Police Department Sergeant and former President of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Newport Lodge No. 8, made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence today on an information charging him with wire fraud. A not guilty plea was entered during his initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. Hayes was released on $10,000 unsecured bond.”

As recent as May 1, 2017, the Department of Justice announced: Former Police Officer, FOP President Pleads Guilty to Fraud. “Christopher Hayes, 49, of Middletown, R.I., a former Newport, R.I., Police Department Sergeant and former President of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Newport Lodge No. 8, today pleaded guilty in federal in Providence to an information charging him with wire fraud.
 
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Hayes admitted to the court that between August 2009 and December 2014, he used an FOP debit card to pay for his own personal expenses; wrote checks payable to himself from the FOP bank account; withdrew cash from the FOP bank account for personal use; and made online payments to his personal credit card from the FOP bank account.
 
An investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General and Office of Labor Management Standards, and the Rhode Island State Police determined that Hayes fraudulently converted approximately $71,523 in FOP funds for his own personal use.”

According to a press release, around 7 months ago the FBI announced: “Takisha Brown Dorsey, a former union official with the Fraternal Order of Police, pled guilty today to a federal charge stemming from the theft of more than $180,000 from the organization, announced U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Andrew Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.” The announcement can also be found on Twitter.

On March 25, 2015, the FBI announced: “Lorna Jean Vanlandingham, the former Treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police Oklahoma State Lodge and the Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police, pleaded guilty today to embezzling nearly $475,000 from Lodge bank accounts, announced United Sates Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Sentencing is scheduled on June 22, 2015 before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Gregory K. Frizzell.” On June 22, 2015, the FBI announced that she was sentenced to nearly three years in prison.

According to a report in Idaho during 2017, the ex-president of a Boise police charity was found guilty of ripping off thousands of dollars from the FOP.

Additionally in Ohio during 2015, it was reported that a former Oakwood cop pleads guilty to ripping off the FOP. Frederick Wilson was originally charged with ripping off around $80,000 from the FOP.

Reportedly in Indiana during 2014, a former cop was accused of embezzling more than $7,000 from the La Porte FOP.

It was in Florida during 2014, that it was reported that three Coral Springs cops and former FOP Executive Boards members were accused of ripping off the FOP.

In Michigan during 2013, it was reported that a Montcalm County sheriff’s deputy was charged with embezzlement for allegedly ripping off the FOP in that area.

It was also reported in Wyoming during 2013, that a former cop allegedly ripped off more than $90,000 from the FOP.

In Utah during 2013, reportedly a former cop from Park City was accused of ripping off the FOP and the department’s evidence room.

During 2012 in New Mexico, it was reported that an investigation into some missing funds of the FOP in Santa Fe has taken place.

According to the FOP website in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh is where the Fraternal Order of Police has it’s beginnings.

Lynda Carson may be reached at tenantsrule [at] yahoo.com

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