Former Philly Police Department Employee Charged With Illegally Collecting War On Terror Stipend
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A former Philadelphia Police Department 911 operator has turned himself in for allegedly illegally collecting $55,500 from a fund designed to help city residents who are serving in the armed forces against the War on Terror.
On Tuesday, Pendarvis Williams turned himself in on charges of Theft by Deception and Theft of Property Lost, Mislaid or Delivered by Mistake.
Records show that Williams was in active duty status from Dec. 3, 2002 through Oct. 18, 2003.
After his mobilization with Operation Enduring Freedom ended on Oct. 18, 2003, Williams continued to fulfill his National Guard duties until May 4, 2004.
At that time, Williams was ordered to full-time National Guard duty in active guard reserve status, a position that's not eligible for the funds.
Despite that, Williams allegedly collected 111 checks at $500 each totaling $55,000.
"Pendarvis Williams used his position as a member of the armed forces to steal $55,500 from the citizens of Philadelphia which, as a guardsman myself, is deplorable," said District Attorney Seth Williams. "As a civilian member of the Philadelphia Police Department he should be ashamed, as a soldier who fought in Operation Enduring Freedom he has dishonored his unit and as a thief he should be found guilty and be punished to the fullest extent of the law."
Williams was hired as a dispatcher by the Philadelphia Police Department in 1999 but was no longer employed by the department at the time of his arrest.
