IMPERIAL — No charges will be filed against an Imperial police sergeant because of insufficient evidence to prove he embezzled $1,000 in drug money, Imperial County Assistant District Attorney Joe Beard said Tuesday.
The investigation involving Imperial police Sgt. Dub Perkins was launched by the DA’s office after it received a report about the allegation sometime in early December, Beard said.
By Jan. 31 the probe had been concluded and the decision not to prosecute Perkins was made shortly afterward, Beard said. The DA’s office could not prove the embezzlement allegation beyond a reasonable doubt, Beard added.
Beard declined to specify what became of the money Perkins was suspected of embezzling or comment on any other details about the investigation.
But while he confirmed the Imperial Police Department requested an investigation, Beard said there is little Imperial city officials can say publicly about Perkins as employee proceedings or an unspecified litigation are pending.
Beard could not say whether the proceedings or litigation he mentioned involves Perkins or why a conviction could not be won in court.
Beard’s statement about when the investigation ended contrasts a past assertion City Manager Marlene Best made that it had been ongoing and she could not comment about the issue.
However, Best said Tuesday the city did not know about the DA’s decision until “a week and a half ago.”
Attempts to reach Mayor Doug Cox for comment about the matter were unsuccessful.
Imperial Police Chief Miguel Colon could not comment about the conclusion reached by the DA’s office, he said, but as long as the city remains in a “legal process,” nothing can be said about the issue regarding Perkins, Best said.
Best would not confirm whether Perkins had been placed on any administrative leave or if the process she spoke of directly pertains to Perkins, citing confidentiality rules.
“I can’t say anything,” Best said.
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-3373-3442 or at spanta@ivpresssonline.com
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