A deputy sheriff with the Denver Sheriff Department is accused of forging military leave documents to take some time of with pay, according to news reports.
Matthew Pemberton, 25, was arrested Tuesday and charged with a number of counts, including theft, electronic theft, five counts of forgery of a government-issued document and criminal impersonation, according to The Denver Channel.
Authorities said Pemberton gave forged military orders to the Denver Sheriff’s Department, claiming he was attending U.S. Army training and needed time off with pay. He’s also accused of forging military orders for time off in 2017 and 2018, too.
Officials with the Denver District Attorney's Office said Pemberton cost the city and county more than $20,000 in both his own pay and overtime pay for other deputies, The Denver Channel reported.
He was caught by a department staffer who noticed the irregular font used in the fake military orders.
Officials with the Sheriff’s Department issued a statement Wednesday, saying they only learned of the charges Tuesday and took immediate action.
“That individual has been placed on investigatory leave pending the outcome of the case. While we will not provide information regarding active and ongoing investigations, we are fully cooperating with the District Attorney’s Office,” the statement said, according to the news station.
Pemberton was released from jail on bail and is due back in court on April 11.
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