Former Westwego police officer accused of theft, profiting over $100K
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
WESTWEGO, La. (WGNO) — A Westwego police officer was arrested on Friday, July 19 and is accused of stealing affidavits for the physical inspection of vehicles as far back as summer 2023.
According to the Louisiana State Police, in June, the LSP Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit New Orleans Field Office was contacted by the Westwego Police Department for assistance with an investigation of possible public corruption from one of its officers.
LSP investigators, with the help of the WPD, determined that in April, the accused former officer, 59-year-old Leroy Victoriano Jr., was tasked with picking up investigative supplies from the LSP headquarters in Baton Rouge. While picking up the supplies, Victoriano allegedly took a large amount of “Affidavits for Physical Inspection” without authorization from the WPD.
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The affidavits are used in vehicle inspections to verify the Vehicle Identification Number for the Office of Motor Vehicles registration process. Many agencies have specific employees who are trained and authorized to conduct the inspections.
Victoriano allegedly kept the affidavits for himself, sought out people who needed vehicle inspections, performed the inspection and charged them $25. At that time, the WPD charged $40 for inspections done by their authorized personnel.
Search warrants were executed on Victoriano’s home as well as his personal and police vehicles, reportedly finding evidence of his receipt of the unauthorized affidavits on several occasions and the issuance of inspections.
It was discovered that, since June 2023, Victoriano had allegedly gotten over 5,000 affidavits, issued over 3,400, and profited over $100,000. 1,219 unused affidavits were also located, leaving roughly 400 unaccounted for.
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Investigators obtained arrest warrants for Victoriano, charging him with four felonies, which consisted of theft of U.S. currency over $25,000, filing false public records, malfeasance in office and money laundering $20,000 to $100,000.
Victoriano turned himself in to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on July 19.
He was placed on administrative leave and immediately resigned at the beginning of the investigation.
The LSP asks that anybody with questions about the former officer’s employment contact the WPD.
The case remains under investigation.
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