Post by KC on Nov 19, 2006 22:40:11 GMT -5
RALEIGH, N.C. -- A Raleigh police officer accused of double-dipping pleaded guilty to larceny charges Thursday morning.
The plea follows months of investigation by the police department into the off-duty work performed by its officers.
Former Raleigh police Officer Charles Bryant was sentenced Thursday morning for double-dipping. According to a recent department-wide audit into off-duty work, Bryant was charged for working off-duty jobs while still on the clock for the city of Raleigh.
"On your plea of guilty to three counts of misdemeanor larceny, I find you guilty on your offer plea -- they are class one misdemeanors," Judge Robert Rader said.
Bryant's attorney, Bob Hensley, blames the situation on paperwork errors.
"I entered what was called an 'offer plea,'" Hensley said. "That means that Charlie does not admit he did anything wrong, but he's allowing himself to be treated as if he was guilty."
Rader sentenced Bryant to one year of unsupervised probation and ordered him to pay a total of $1,375 in restitution to the city of Raleigh and two other businesses where he worked, plus $310 in court costs and community service fees. Bryant was also ordered to serve 51 hours of community service to make up for the 51 improperly billed hours that got him into trouble.
"And if we have to be the example of, if we have to make the sacrifice, I'm willing to do that," Bryant said.
Bryant said this has been a very difficult time for him and his family. Hensley said because Bryant resigned from the force last week -- prior to his 30 years -- his retirement and insurance will be affected.
A second officer involved, former Sgt. David Murphy, is also facing a larceny charge. He is scheduled to appear in court at the end of November.
www.nbc17.com/news/10339019/detail.html
The plea follows months of investigation by the police department into the off-duty work performed by its officers.
Former Raleigh police Officer Charles Bryant was sentenced Thursday morning for double-dipping. According to a recent department-wide audit into off-duty work, Bryant was charged for working off-duty jobs while still on the clock for the city of Raleigh.
"On your plea of guilty to three counts of misdemeanor larceny, I find you guilty on your offer plea -- they are class one misdemeanors," Judge Robert Rader said.
Bryant's attorney, Bob Hensley, blames the situation on paperwork errors.
"I entered what was called an 'offer plea,'" Hensley said. "That means that Charlie does not admit he did anything wrong, but he's allowing himself to be treated as if he was guilty."
Rader sentenced Bryant to one year of unsupervised probation and ordered him to pay a total of $1,375 in restitution to the city of Raleigh and two other businesses where he worked, plus $310 in court costs and community service fees. Bryant was also ordered to serve 51 hours of community service to make up for the 51 improperly billed hours that got him into trouble.
"And if we have to be the example of, if we have to make the sacrifice, I'm willing to do that," Bryant said.
Bryant said this has been a very difficult time for him and his family. Hensley said because Bryant resigned from the force last week -- prior to his 30 years -- his retirement and insurance will be affected.
A second officer involved, former Sgt. David Murphy, is also facing a larceny charge. He is scheduled to appear in court at the end of November.
www.nbc17.com/news/10339019/detail.html