PHOENIX — A DPS trooper reportedly falsified his timecard and made unauthorized purchases benefiting family members.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety reports that on July 10 they arrested one of their own at DPS headquarters in central Phoenix.
DPS says Pedro Javier Muniz, 28, claimed excessive work hours to vendors and DPS that he didn't work.
Court records show that DPS discovered "numerous discrepancies showing Muniz had developed a pattern of logging on and off well before and after the scheduled start and end times of the off-duty jobs."
Based on this, vendors were billed for the excessive hours Muniz reported, DPS says. Investigators discovered that Muniz allegedly falsified 27 off-duty job vouchers, defrauding vendors of at least $2,500.
Detectives also reportedly found discrepancies in his on-duty timesheets and mileage using records. DPS says mileage records showed that he racked up 500-800 more miles than any other trooper assigned to the same area.
Investigators also found that when Muniz was off-duty, and his patrol car was home, he made fuel purchases for family members, using a state-issued fuel card. Court records show that Muniz made 21 fraudulent purchases totaling nearly $700.
In a statement Monday, DPS said Muniz had resigned earlier in the day.
He has been charged with fraud, forgery, and misuse of public monies.
