Golden Beach Sergeant Arrested For Fraud
MIAMI - (CBS4) - A Golden Beach police department sergeant was arrested Wednesday after being charged with official misconduct, fraud and grand theft, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement stated in a statement.
Authorities began investigating Lyndean Peters, 45, of Ft. Lauderdale, in 2009 after allegations surfaced that Peters worked off-duty overtime detail while on duty, according to the arrest form. It cost the city $2,377.62, according to the FDLE.
Peters was charged with one count of organized scheme to defraud, one count of grand theft, one count of insurance fraud and 11 counts of official misconduct.
Peters also faces additional insurance fraud charges after he allegedly made false statements to an insurance company as it related to an accident he had in his police cruiser.
He allegedly told the insurance company that as a result of the accident his police dog was not fit for duty. In fact, the FDLE states, the dog, Aron, had already been designated medically unfit before the accident occurred. Investigators say the veterinarian said the dog was, in fact, not hurt in the accident and that Peters lied about the dog's injuries.
It led to the other party's insurance company to pay a $20,000 settlement mostly for the dog's injuries.
The sergeant gave himself up to police Wednesday and was booked into Miami Dade County Jail. His bond was set at $70,000.
On Thursday, Glenn Singer, the Mayor of Golden Beach issued the following statement: "On Wednesday, January 5, 2010, the Town of Golden Beach suspended police officer Lyndean Peters without pay and benefits, following his arrest on felony charges. Peters was a K-9 officer who worked the afternoon shift. He will remain off the police force pending the outcome of the criminal case, at which time the Town will conduct its own internal investigation. The Town of Golden Beach is fully cooperating with the State Attorney's Office on this matter."
