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Police Chief Offers More Details in Passport Fraud CaseThe file on the polygraph examination that Mora-Lopez was given before his hire was located this afternoon, Mew said, but it remains to be seen whether a flaw in the examination procedure allowed the fake name to escape detection.Related Content
There are still a few unknowns in the case of Rafael Mora-Lopez, reportedly a Mexican national who is accused of posing as an American citizen while working for the Anchorage Police Ddepartment. But Police Chief Mark Mew said more answers will be forthcoming.
Mew says there's a simple explanation for why the department's fingerprint-based background check did not discover the existence of an American citizen named Rafael Espinoza, the name used by former anchorage officer Rafael Mora-Lopez.
The real Espinoza, who has dual citizenship, does not live in the United States and does not have fingerprints on file here.
"There was no record in the United States beyond the fact that he existed. So it was an empty slate, in other words," Mew said.
Espinoza's application for a U.S. passport is what triggered last week's arrest of Mora-Lopez, Mew said.
The file on the polygraph examination that Mora-Lopez was given before his hire was located this afternoon, Mew said, but it remains to be seen whether a flaw in the examination procedure allowed the fake name to escape detection.
"I don't want to assume anything right now,” he said. “I've never had reason to suspect we have a fundamental error in our system. But we'll look and see. We'll go wherever the data tells us to go.”
Mew said the case of Mora-Lopez has harmed department morale, particularly coming so soon after the conviction of former officer Anthony Rollins for sexual assaults.
"We're trying to recover from the negative coverage associated with the Rollins matter. We see these both as problems, as legitimate problems. We see them as different kinds of problems. We're not sure the public sees them as different kinds of problems."
There could be additional charges against Mora-Lopez in coming weeks.
Meanwhile, APD must cope with another hit to its reputation.
Mew said he had been given legal advice not to discuss whether Mora-Lopez and Espinoza knew each other, how long Mora-Lopez used the false identity or whether Mora-Lopez had been in Anchorage since his entry into the United States from Mexico in 1989.
Mew said Mora-Lopez was well-liked on the force and received an award for saving a life last year by administering CPR.
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Amber said on Tuesday, Apr 26 at 9:11 PM
They don't want to discuss whether he was here all that time or whether they knew each other because then they would have to charge him with something other than the silly passport fraud instead of identity theft--which is what I would be charged with if I did the same things this man did. What about the PFD and carrying a firearm??? It will be interesting to see what Karen Loeffler decides to charge him with...I hope she makes sure to charge him with whatever a citizen would be charged with if he had done the same things--
65833847Big Dan said on Tuesday, Apr 26 at 9:28 PM
You know, this dude may be an illegal, but he was supposedly a good cop, unlike the pig that was using his authority to sexually assault women, too bad this one got caught.. Rollins is a dirt bag, Rahpeal was just trying for a better life. If they don't have anything on him besides this they should just give him citizen ship and keep him on the force.
65834349Bert Hoak said on Tuesday, Apr 26 at 10:34 PM
Big Dan where is your head at? He not only is an illegal alien, lied to get the job, made a mockery of America, but he also committed perjury every time he testified in court. He is going to cost this city millions before it is over. He wasn't even entitled to a PFD and perjured himself to get that!! Get real Dan.
65835952barry wilson said on Wednesday, Apr 27 at 1:25 AM
they new he was not who he said who he was way before the sh!t hit the fan and the only reason it hit the fan was because U.S. Department of State for passport got involved.. these keystone cops keep saying he passed a lie detector test but the fact is all apps for any job ask for minimal 10 years work history and atleast 3 names for a reference, if they bother calling about this guy someone should have asked why was this guy in two places. either way someone not telling the truth besides that loser Mora-Lopez.. but hay what do you expect anchorage is a safe haven for illegal aliens..
65839017bddg said on Wednesday, Apr 27 at 4:01 AM
Looking good out there apd
65843934afton said on Wednesday, Apr 27 at 4:47 AM
he is an illegal,the very least that should be done,is to be deported.Look at all of the laws he has broken,should get jail time,then deported.
65846637Concerned Citizen said on Wednesday, Apr 27 at 6:48 AM
APD has some really big internal management and LEADERSHIP issues. The distrust among patrol officers and the supervisors no way permenate teamwork. The tax payer money that APD wastes on terminating police officers for trivial matters is unbelieveable instead on fixing their internal leadership problems. Someone needs to run a news story on how many police officers have been terminated for trivial infactions.
65857724John N said on Wednesday, Apr 27 at 7:14 AM
Its a shame that people are badmouthing APD again! They do a outstanding Job and should be commended for the hard work they do. I have know several of them and have found them to be both professional and caring to the community. God Bless Them and Keep Them Safe!! P.S. Where was the public critics when an officer was shot. Those that know who the shooter is but will not come forth I say shame on you!! The police are as strong as the support they get from the citizens they serve so proudly.
65860482Anchorage Mom said on Wednesday, Apr 27 at 10:58 AM
What bothers me the most about APD is this is the second incident that has been made public within a very short time. First an officer is caught taking advantage of women and forcing himself on them, and now an officer lying about his identity? Exactly how many other officers within the Anchorage Police Department need to be investigated and released from their positions? I am not doubting that all APD officers act in an inappropriate way, however, How am I suppose to raise my children and tell them they can put trust into a law enforcement officer, when these officers are no better than the people they are arresting and locking up behind bars? Personally, I can no longer put trust into the law enforcement that Anchorage currently has. Isn’t it time to start cleaning house and put honest people into those positions?
65887692Anonymous said on Wednesday, Apr 27 at 8:31 PM
Barney did Andy say you could put your bullet in your gun?
65938692Guest said on Wednesday, Apr 27 at 8:37 PM
So what if he did save a life. We cannot ignore someone who stole someone elses identity and pretened to be a police officer. Personally, I believe it reveals alot that is wrong with the APD when they feel sorry for this criminal.
65939372Anonymous said on Wednesday, Apr 27 at 8:40 PM
John N. Its not a good point to make anymore man. There are too many officers with years on the force to believe no else knew. Its really bad. Organized crime has really made it deep into our government. We cannot afford to let it continue.
65939877SAM BURLESON said on Thursday, Apr 28 at 11:35 AM
THAT TOO BAD NEED MEXICO HOME RIGHT U NEED CHECK HIS BACKGROUND ALL MEXICO JOB USA RIGHT NOW PLEASE U TELL THEM OF SENTATE IN DC WILL HELP YOU ABOUT MEXICO BACK TO HOME OLD MEXICO RIGHT NOW ..... PLS WAKE UP LOOK BACKGROUND BACK OF MEXICO PEOPLE BAD HIDE NOT HONESTY AND MANY LIES I NOTICE THAT MEXIXO RUN OFF INTO TO USA LOOK JOB THAT WRONG .... NEED BACK MEXICO HOME RIGHT MORE WORST MEXICO INTO USA ENOUGH ,,, THANK YOU
65997664Guest said on Saturday, Apr 30 at 12:41 AM
We are fogetting about the WORST case of APD corruption. The 17 year Veteran cop, who took nude photos of little girls, had videos, topless wrestling matches, etc...Cohen occured about the same time as rollins, so really its 3 criminal cops caught in a very short while. A whole lot of buddies decided to keep them cool, not say anything. Dang right there is somethng wrong!
66108842Anonymous said on Saturday, Apr 30 at 12:54 AM
Weell shooot now is seems to be one big family instead of professional, objective officers. It probably explains the "Top Gun" type arrogance they show when ever you walk by. They giggle about camera being turned off, lights down low and barry white while Rollins did his "magic" Were they peeking like the college students in porky's laughing and smiling and chewing gum why their buddy has his way...Disgusted
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