Lakewood cop accused of stealing from memorial fund fired
LAKEWOOD, Wash. -- A Lakewood police officer who is accused of embezzling more than $120,000 from a fund intended to benefit the families of four Lakewood officers killed has been fired.
Skeeter Manos was terminated Friday, based on the recommendation from the department's police chief Bret Farrar, Lakewood police announced Monday.
Manos has been charged with 10 federal felonies for allegedly embezzling from the fund while serving as the treasurer of the Lakewood Police Independent Guild. Manos was arrested on Wednesday morning, and was released after his court hearing on Wednesday afternoon.
Federal investigators said Manos set up a secret bank account under the guild's name and funneled approximately $151,000 in funds intended for the families of fallen officers. He used some $120,000 from the account for "his personal use and pleasure," the complaint said, namely to make purchases at several stores including Costco, Home Depot and REI, buy plane tickets to Las Vegas, and make cash withdrawals at several casinos, both in Las Vegas and in Washington state.
The allegedly embezzled funds were a part of the $3.2 million contributed for the benefit of the families of Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens and Greg Richards who were gunned down at a coffee shop.
Manos was hired by the Lakewood Police Department in 2004 after working as a state trooper for a year.
The FBI is continuing to investigate the case, Lakewood police said.
Skeeter Manos was terminated Friday, based on the recommendation from the department's police chief Bret Farrar, Lakewood police announced Monday.
Manos has been charged with 10 federal felonies for allegedly embezzling from the fund while serving as the treasurer of the Lakewood Police Independent Guild. Manos was arrested on Wednesday morning, and was released after his court hearing on Wednesday afternoon.
Federal investigators said Manos set up a secret bank account under the guild's name and funneled approximately $151,000 in funds intended for the families of fallen officers. He used some $120,000 from the account for "his personal use and pleasure," the complaint said, namely to make purchases at several stores including Costco, Home Depot and REI, buy plane tickets to Las Vegas, and make cash withdrawals at several casinos, both in Las Vegas and in Washington state.
The allegedly embezzled funds were a part of the $3.2 million contributed for the benefit of the families of Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens and Greg Richards who were gunned down at a coffee shop.
Manos was hired by the Lakewood Police Department in 2004 after working as a state trooper for a year.
The FBI is continuing to investigate the case, Lakewood police said.
