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Pocono News Section
Scranton Detective Arrested For Theft
Scranton Detective Arrested For Theft - Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 5:54PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Dec 8, 2009 @ 05:54pm EST
DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - A long-time Scranton police officer is on the other side of the law tonight. Detective Leonard Ash was charged Tuesday night with theft. State Police in Dunmore say he stole more than $8,000 from his department's evidence room.
Detective Ash said nothing as he was taken out for his arraignment. He is a 19-year veteran of the Scranton Police Department. Investigators say he tried to cover his tracks after allegedly taking the money.
"Detective Ash removed the envelope with the cash in May 2003. He did place blank pieces of paper in its place of the cash and then re-submitted the evidence envelope back into the evidence room at the Scranton Police Department," Trooper Bill Satkowski said.
Investigators say the cash was seized drug money. It was discovered missing only two months ago after the District Attorney's Office was preparing for a forfeiture of the money.
"He checked it out to the District Attorney's Office and of course he DA's Office had no proceeding going on at that time which we have now determined it was taken out for the purpose of evidently removing the money," Assistant District Attorney Amil Minora said.
Detective Ash has held numerous positions in the Scranton Police Department. He has been suspended without pay during the investigation.
"It is a serious violation of the public trust. We cannot tolerate abhorrent police behavior and we will take any-and-all necessary action in this particular case," Scranton Public Safety Director Ray Hayes said.
As for whether this is the only case of missing money, or why Ash allegedly took the cash, that is still all under investigation.
"It is an ongoing investigation. We don't have any indicator that there was other instances," Trooper Satkowski said.
Ash was arraigned Tuesday night before Magisterial District Judge Terrence Gallagher in West Scranton. | | |
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