TACOMA, Wa. (CN) - Money that was meant the families of four murdered police officers instead funded an embezzler's trips to Las Vegas, federal prosecutors say.
The fund was established after four Lakewood officers were ambushed by Maurice Clemmons while having coffee in November 2009.
Clemmons was later shot and killed by police.
Skeeter Timothy Manos, a fellow officer who served as the treasurer for the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, set up an undisclosed bank account in the guild's name just weeks after the murders, according to the complaint against him filed Wednesday.
He then allegedly diverted $150,000 from the charity money to his hidden account. Manos used the money to buy plane tickets to Las Vegas where he withdraw over $500 at automated teller machines in the Bellagio casino and Planet Hollywood, according to the complaint. He also spent more than $7,000 at Home Depot, $2,500 at Costco and about $1,700 at REI, the complaint says.
The alleged scheme unraveled after another officer raised suspicions about missing funds, and the department commenced an investigation.
Manos is charged with 10 counts of wire fraud.
"This is a sad day for our community," U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan said in a statement. "These acts betrayed the memory of our fallen heroes, their families, fellow officers and all who supported the fund."
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