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Prince George’s police couple indicted on theft charges Prince George’s police couple indicted on theft charges
(35 minutes later)
A Prince George’s police officer and a former county homicide captain were indicted Tuesday for allegedly falsifying timecards to net more than $200,000 in pay. A Prince George’s County police officer and a former county homicide captain were indicted Tuesday for allegedly falsifying timecards to net more than $200,000 in pay.
Jennifer Simms and Harold J. Simms III were charged with two counts of theft and conspiracy, with each charge carrying a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, prosecutors announced Tuesday.Jennifer Simms and Harold J. Simms III were charged with two counts of theft and conspiracy, with each charge carrying a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Prosecutors allege Jennifer Simms inflated information on timesheets she submitted to be paid for work she did not do for both the county and College Park between March 2012 and November 2014. Jennifer Simms also falsely claimed to have worked overtime or earned comp time hours, according to officials with the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors allege Jennifer Simms inflated information on time sheets she submitted to be paid for work she did not do for both the county and College Park between March 2012 and November 2014. Jennifer Simms also falsely claimed to have worked overtime or earned comp-time hours, according to officials with the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Harold Simms, who was married to Jennifer Simms when the alleged fraud occurred, was charged as an accomplice, prosecutors said, because he knew about his wife’s activity and benefitted from the scheme. Harold Simms, who was married to Jennifer Simms when the alleged fraud occurred, was charged as an accomplice, prosecutors said, because he knew about his wife’s activity and benefited from the scheme.
“We have conducted a thorough investigation over the last several months and we believe that these charges are appropriate based on the evidence,” Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said in a statement. “We have conducted a thorough investigation over the last several months and we believe that these charges are appropriate based on the evidence,” Prince George’s State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said in a statement.
Online court records do not list attorneys for Jennifer and Harold Simms. When reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Harold Simms declined to comment. Jennifer Simms could not be reached.Online court records do not list attorneys for Jennifer and Harold Simms. When reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Harold Simms declined to comment. Jennifer Simms could not be reached.
Prince George’s County police said they learned of the allegations in Dec. 2014 and spent roughly 3,000 hours investigating the case. Prince George’s County police said they learned of the allegations in Dec. 2014 and spent about 3,000 hours investigating the case.
In a statement, police chief Henry P. Stawinski III said that if the allegations are true, the Simms “not only betrayed our community, but they also betrayed this badge.” In a statement, Police Chief Henry P. Stawinski III said that if the allegations are true, the Simmses “not only betrayed our community, but they also betrayed this badge.”
“We have checks and balances in place to ensure that officers are properly compensated for their work,” Stawinski’s statement continued. “This appears to be an aggressive, isolated act of greed.”“We have checks and balances in place to ensure that officers are properly compensated for their work,” Stawinski’s statement continued. “This appears to be an aggressive, isolated act of greed.”
Jennifer Simms, a 13-year veteran of the department who was assigned to the regional investigations division as a crime analyst will be suspended without pay, police said. Her police powers were suspended in May, according to the department. Jennifer Simms, a 13-year veteran of the department who was assigned to the regional investigations division as a crime analyst, will be suspended without pay, police said. Her police powers were suspended in May, according to the department.
Harold Simms, who worked for the department for 18 years, retired from the department in June 2015 amid the investigation, according to police.Harold Simms, who worked for the department for 18 years, retired from the department in June 2015 amid the investigation, according to police.
Harold Simms did not supervise Jennifer Simms during any time they worked in the department together, police said. Harold Simms did not supervise Jennifer Simms during the time they worked in the department together, police said.
When asked why Harold Simms was allowed to retire while the investigation was ongoing and whether his retirement benefits would be impacted by the felony charges, the police department responded with the following statement: “Just as a private industry employer can’t prevent someone from quitting his or her job, a police department can’t tell an officer he or she can’t retire when they so choose. Felony charges do not affect retirement benefits.” When asked why Harold Simms was allowed to retire while the investigation was ongoing and whether his retirement benefits would be affected by the felony charges, the police department responded with the following statement: “Just as a private industry employer can’t prevent someone from quitting his or her job, a police department can’t tell an officer he or she can’t retire when they so choose. Felony charges do not affect retirement benefits.”