HIALEARE, Fla. (WFLA) — The former HiALEA Police Chief has been arrested after allegedly committed organized fraud and grand theft while in office, NBC affiliate WTVJ said.
Sergio Velázquez served as chief of the Hialea Police Station from 2012 until the 2021 suspension.
Velazquez faces fees including:
1 count structured transactions to avoid reporting or registration requirements 1 organized fraud count
According to state attorney Katherine Fernandez Randle, 147 checks have been cashed, totaling around $3.2 million.
“If a serving police officer violates the law, he betrays the community he has vowed to serve,” state Attorney Catherine Fernandez Randle said. “But this unique betrayal deeply hurts the very soul of the community when the police chief is allegedly stolen from the city and department he led.
The funds were to be used to fund a secret drug investigation.
WTVJ said much of the money had not been recorded and never been documented after the forensic audit.
The money used to purchase the secret drugs was said to have come from the safe at the former chief’s office. He and the few selected people had a combination.
On October 28, 2020, 15 cash deposits were made, according to state Attorney Catherine Fernandez Randle. The $25,900 was split into two business accounts and one personal account for Velazquez.
