Monday, June 17, 2013
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Former Cop Faces No Jail Time for PFD FraudHowever, Rafael Mora-Lopez, 47, was ordered to pay back more than $27,000 in PFD checks he had collected over the last 21 years.Related Content
On Friday, a state Superior Court judge sentenced Rafael Mora-Lopez, 47, to one year of unsupervised probation and no additional jail time. He was ordered to pay back more than $27,000 in PFD checks he had collected over the last 21 years.
Mora-Lopez gave an emotional testimony in court in front of a judge along with his friends and family members who were sitting behind him in the courtroom. “I want to apologize to the police department, to my family and my friends for what my actions caused,” he said tearfully. “It was never my intention to hurt the people of Anchorage. I want to apologize for what I did, all I wanted was to serve you.” Superior Court Judge Michael Wolverton told the court that he had received an overwhelming number of letters of support from the community about the good things he had done. Mora-Lopez will serve a three-month federal prison sentence for passport fraud and false claim of citizenship. “He was a very good police officer and very strong supporter of the community, so it’s a bitter pill for all of us to swallow,” said Lt. Dave Parker, a spokesperson for the Anchorage Police Department. APD officers say Mora-Lopez was involved with hundreds of cases during his six-year career as a patrol officer with the department - many of which will not be re-opened. “Most of the cases that he worked on have already passed through the court system,” Parker said. The case has prompted APD to make changes, especially to hiring processes. “The big thing is getting to know our candidates, getting to know them well before the final selection is made,” he said. Anchorage detectives will now be conducting the initial interviews and polygraph operators will go through additional training to make sure they detect all red flags. “We have several commanders that would be lieutenants or captains review every single file which comes from our background unit prior to presentation to our chief,” he said. It’s a process APD hopes will make sure there aren’t any more cases like those of Mora-Lopez. |
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jjj said on Tuesday, Sep 20 at 1:42 PM
IT IS TIME TO FLUSH THE TOILET!!!
74099537heybegichareyouproudyet said on Monday, Sep 19 at 9:27 AM
Hey Begich! Remember when you allowed the cops from OHIO into APD?!?!?! THIS IS WHAT WE GOT!!!! Yet another FINE example of bad judgement by someone with too much power. APD has rapidly declined!!! Which is kinda scary, actually. Throw the book at this guy too!
74033361No Jail time? said on Monday, Sep 19 at 9:00 AM
Must have connections in Washington with the Obamoboy Administration.
74031859YA GOTTA REMEMBER..... said on Monday, Sep 19 at 6:05 AM
POLITICS AND DOUBLE STANDARD.
74023829ANOTHER ILLEGAL ALIEN RIPPING OFF AMERICA said on Monday, Sep 19 at 5:32 AM
So he was a good cop. What is the defination of "GOOD"?A general term of approval, "better than average",porducing favorable results,honorable,worthy,respectable,reliable,virtuous,honest, just,& the list goes on.No prison time? Wouldn't surprise me if he is on "Adminstative Leave with pay". If it was a tax payer, the person would be in jail. What connections does this 'CROOK' have? Slap his A-- back to Mexico, never let him return to the U.S. The disgraceful robbing, lying crook!
74022461Chitinadan said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 8:35 PM
To the reporter , How many people have been charged with PFD fraud and what was there punishment ? Time served , fine's and then write a real articial about the justie system comparitivly or are you getting special treatment to . Just sayin
73980749fluffy said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 8:31 PM
As usual the city cops protecting their own...if that was just your average Anchorage person they'd have thrown the book at me. Love the way the law is so fair and equal.
73980674eagle937 said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 10:49 AM
are you all a bunch of idiots He would love to do jail time and stay here. Hello, He will be deported and do a life sentence in Mexico
73965854Ouzinki said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 10:10 AM
Wonder if this dude is still on 'administrative leave' drawing his megabuck salary while NOT going to jail as a convicted felon? Any wagers? God it must be good to be a cop!
73964982gee-money said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 8:55 AM
our judicial systems needs to be over hauled and soon this is way wrong!!!!!
73963151InAK4fifty5yrs. said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 8:08 AM
Hmm.. that was you or me.....he court system would be extorting money from me,Lose my passport AND PFD and have to do time for a FELONY(s)...THEY TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN...should be obvious by now.
73961819Don Dunnell said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 5:56 AM
I see the same thing everywhere, if you are employed by law enforcement, free ticket to do anything.
73957382Shame on you said on Saturday, Sep 17 at 12:33 AM
You suck !
73951747Lluna said on Friday, Sep 16 at 11:31 PM
Anonymous said yesterday at 6:33 AM "Why does everyone always assume that there had to be favoritism evolved? Making quick assumptions based on poor information." wow another idiot like the judge who doesn't know the meaning of ILLEGAL AND FRAUD, dude you are as pathetic as these wannabe reporters who should find out whats going to happen to ALL the people this loser arrested..
73951134Regular Joe said on Friday, Sep 16 at 11:07 PM
Not Surpriseing, What about the identity theft victim, what happen when this clean cop filed bankruptcy in his name. Opps isnt that another case of financial fraud. Not only to his victim but also to the creditors who lost out
73950837Anonymous said on Friday, Sep 16 at 10:33 PM
Why does everyone always assume that there had to be favoritism evolved? Making quick assumptions based on poor information.
73950319Moody Herring said on Friday, Sep 16 at 10:32 PM
amen brother ben,shot a goose and killed a hen!
73950291cooljulie said on Friday, Sep 16 at 10:10 PM
No surprise here. He's probably celebrating with a steak dinner with the cop who smashed into the cars in Eagle River when he was drunk and also got NO punishment.
73949892Andrew said on Friday, Sep 16 at 9:27 PM
Wel lets just give the guy his job back and the key to the city! Im at a loss
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