Ex-Stamford Cop Busted for Lying About Army Deployment

A former Stamford Police officer has been arrested after he allegedly took a paid military leave to serve in the Army Reserves when he actually was enjoying a Hawaiian vacation with his girlfriend.

The officer, who was hired in April 2014, requested two weeks paid leave to serve in the reserves in early December, according to reports. Police reportedly launched a missing person investigation after the Army contacted the department saying the reservist never showed up for duty.

The department eventually was able to make contact with the then-officer Donald Chen. Chen reportedly told police he travelled to Taiwan for a family emergency but later admitted he was vacationing in Hawaii. The department suspended Chen who submitted his resignation on Dec. 14, according to The Advocate.

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Stamford Police obtained an arrest warrant for the 30-year-old Chen who surrendered on Tuesday. He was charged with first-degree larceny and defrauding a public community. Department officials said they will seek restitution of the more than $2,000 Chen was paid while vacationing, and will investigate whether he showed up for other Army training deployment for which he was paid during his tenure with the department.

He was released on a promise to appear Jan. 11 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

The Advocate story can be found here.