The Associated Press
TUCSON, Az. — A South Tucson police officer has been fired after becoming the focus of an FBI and IRS probe for suspicion of cashing checks intended for the city and its police department, authorities said.
Lt. Richard Garcia, who was the second-highest ranking officer in the department, was fired last week, according to court documents.
City manager Enrique Serna said South Tucson officials became aware of the federal investigation about a month ago.
Because the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed, Serna declined to elaborate, saying only that he believed the investigation involved anti-racketeering funds.
However, Serna said the city’s investigation found enough wrongdoing to warrant the firing.
Representatives of the IRS and the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment.
Garcia was promoted to lieutenant in May and would have marked his 13th year with the department later this month, city officials said.