California Woman Accused Of Embezzling $350K From Police Union

From CBS Los Angeles on 2/7/2015:

Authorities say the former officer manager of the Riverside Police Officers’ Association (RPOA) embezzled nearly $350,000 from the group spending the money on travel, car payments and child support.

In February 2012, RPOA board members discovered suspicious payments made on the association’s credit cards. A specific payment of $11,000 was made to the Orange County Department of Child Support Services in September 2011. The investigation revealed that a child support payment was made to Jamar Moore, 45, from Moreno Valley. Moore is the husband of RPOA’s former office manager Alis Archibeque, 42.

Archibeque was employed with the RPOA from April 2006 until about March 2012.

A line-by-line audit included over 7,000 items of alleged theft and unauthorized purchases made by Archibeque starting in about May 2007 and lasting almost five years. Her total amount of unauthorized charges added up to about $346,000, officials said.

A search warrant of Archibeque’s Moreno Valley home was conducted in November 2012 and several items purchased with the RPOA credit cards were allegedly located in the home.

RPOA President Brian Smith (who is also a Riverside officer) told KCAL9’s Laurie Perez the group was tipped off in early 2012 but that Archibeque gave a song and dance for months. He said one day she feigned a fainting spell and never returned.

Smith told Perez the group is “slightly embarrassed” but that it’s a lesson that theft can happen to anyone, even cops.

A complete investigation alleges Archibeque purchased personal groceries, gas, utility bills, concert tickets, jewelry, tattoos, car payments and home appliances with the RPOA credit cards. She is also accused of using RPOA credit cards while on trips to Italy and on Disney Cruise Lines.

Members of the Inland Regional Apprehension Team (IRAT) and RPD Economic Crimes Unit located and arrested Archibeque Saturday at a restaurant in Redlands.

She was booked at Riverside County Jail on two counts of grand theft and an enhancement for theft exceeding $100,000. Archibeque’s bail is set at $346,000.

People who may have additional information about this case are asked to call Detective Brian Money at (951) 353-7118.