3 More Officers Resign Amid Investigation Over Federal Grant Misuse
Three more El Paso police officers have resigned over accusations of abuse of a federal grant.
Eight veteran police officers have now stepped down. Police said they’ve all been on the force more than a decade — some up to 17 years.
The U.S. Department of Transportation operates two enforcement grant programs that the El Paso Police Department participates in. One of the programs is called the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, or STEP. The investigation into alleged fraud was begun by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Officer of Inspector General and the El Paso Police Department Special Investigative Group.
In a statement, the city explained the investigation involves misuse or fraudulent use of public funds related to the STEP grant. El Paso police spokesman Darrel Petry said it involves the officers allegedly classifying their overtime hours under the STEP program.
Attorneys for police Sgt. Luis Ortiz, Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds, claim the city is using the officers as scapegoats to cover up what they call a quota system. Caballero and Leeds held a news conference Tuesday morning but did not invite ABC-7. However, ABC-7 confirmed Governor Rick Perry’s office has received correspondence from Luis Ortiz, as stated in a release issued by Caballero. A spokesman for the governor said they will be reviewing the claims and, if necessary, will send the correspondence to the appropriate agency to handle it.
El Paso Police, meanwhile, denied Caballero’s allegations. “The El Paso Police Department does not have a quota system. We don’t condone that and we don’t do that,” Petry said.
Listed below in alphabetical order by last name, are the officers who have resigned:
?Officer Luis Acosta, a 17-year veteran.
?Officer Jorge Arellano an 11-year veteran.
?Officer Michael Arzaga, a 12-year veteran.
?Officer Kenny Huynh, a 17-year veteran.
?Officer Scott McFarland, a 13-year veteran.
?Sgt. Luis Ortiz, a 16-year veteran.
?Detective Ana Reza, a 17-year veteran.
?Detective Jose Ruiz, a 17-year veteran.
