Feb. 08--LAKEWOOD -- A Lakewood police officer was arrested Wednesday on federal charges he embezzled more than $120,000 from a fund intended to benefit the families of four officers who were killed in the line of duty.
Skeeter Timothy Manos, 34, served as treasurer of the Lakewood Police Independent Guild. He was charged with 10 federal felonies of wire fraud.
"This is a sad day for our community," said U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan. "These acts betrayed the memory of our fallen heroes, their families, fellow officers and all who supported the fund."
Manos allegedly diverted $151,000 in funds donated for the families of the fallen officers to a secret bank account opened in the name of the Lakewood Independent Police Guild. The indictment alleges he spent $121,000 of the money on plane tickets, gambling and purchases at various stores.
Court documents alleged that Manos began the scheme on or around Jan. 19, 2010, and that throughout 2010 he withdrew money from that account.
"Stealing from the children of our fallen officers is disgraceful," said Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. "While these allegations are despicable, we should not lose sight of the honorable work the Lakewood Police Department does for our community."
The funds stolen by Manos made up a portion of the $3.2 million donated by the public to benefit the families of the four officers who were gunned down in a coffee shop in November 2009.
According to its website, The Fallen Officers Fund was created to "raise money to assist fallen and injured Officers and their immediate families."
John Unfred, treasurer of the Lakewood Officers' Charity, released a statement that they are cooperating with the federal investigation. Manos did not serve on the charity's board. The Lakewood Police Independent Guild said they were fully cooperating with authorities' investigation.
Manos appeared in U.S. District Court in Tacoma Wednesday. He was released from jail on his personal recognizance.
Lakewood Police Chief Bret Farrar said of the officer's alleged actions, "It's a huge betrayal."
Farrar said he told his fellow officers to keep their heads high, that this is only about one police officer. "This was one person, accountable for his actions," the chief said.
Manos was hired by the Lakewood Police Department in September, 2004. In July, 2011 he was presented with the department's Core Values award. Before that, he worked from 2003 to 2004 on as a Washington State Patrol trooper. He has been placed on unpaid administrative leave by the Lakewood Police Department.
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Lakewood Police Department and the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office.
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