Resignation/Embezzlement
On November 24, 2010 Democrat Solano resigned as Sheriff of Santa Fe County after admitting to selling police and county property for years, including protective body armor vests to members of the military using eBay.
"I have done some things that I should not have done and am ready to come clean and face the consequences," Greg Solano, sheriff of Sante Fe county, said in a statement.
Solano, saying his family faced financial difficulties, admitted selling property that included cell phones, flashlights, police belts, holsters and the protective vests.
"During the last few years I have taken these vests and sold them online, mostly to military personnel who wanted them for extra protection overseas," Solano said. "This was wrong, illegal, unethical and dishonest."
Solano said the body vests he sold were several years old and no longer recommended for use by law enforcement.
State police said they have been investigating an embezzlement charge against Solano for the past four months.
State police spokesman Eric Garcia said the amount of property sold by Solano had not yet been determined. But he said "the scheme was facilitated through EBay where Solano would sell items illegally."
He said police investigators are working with the local district attorney's office and the case is ongoing.
Solano said he has turned over evidence and promised to cooperate with authorities.
"I will accept the consequences for my actions. Although my home is threatened with foreclosure and I am now unemployed, I plan to pay back what I took," Solano said.
Robert Garcia, Solano's undersheriff was sworn in as interim County Sheriff. Garcia was subsequently elected as Sheriff by the citizens of Santa Fe County in the election of November 2, 2011 and began his first term on January 1, 2012.
On July 20, 2011, Solano pleaded guilty in District Court as part of a plea agreement to five counts of fraud for embezzling county property and selling the items for his own gain on eBay. The plea deal came eight months after Solano resigned as sheriff and admitted auctioning the items for personal profit.
Read more about this topic: Greg Solano
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