FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    CONTACT:  DAVILYN WALSTON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007                            PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/txe                                                  PHONE: (409) 839-2538
                                                                                                           CELL: (409) 553-9881

BEAUMONT POLICE OFFICER GUILTY OF MAIL FRAUD

BEAUMONT, TX – United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that a former Beaumont Police officer has pleaded guilty to mail fraud charges in the Eastern District of Texas. 

PAUL PERRITT, 54, of Port Neches, admitted to defrauding the Beaumont Police Officers Association (BPOA) of funds for his own personal use.  The plea was heard before United States Magistrate Judge Earl Hines today.

According to information presented in court, an investigation revealed that Perritt was employed as a police officer with the Beaumont Police Department from 1976 until May 2007.  Perritt assumed the position of Treasurer of the BPOA around January 1994 and maintained that position until March 2007.  As treasurer, Perritt had authority to write checks upon the BPOA bank accounts.  Those accounts contained union dues deposited directly from the paychecks of Beaumont Police Officers.  Although Perritt knew he was not authorized to use those funds for his personal benefit, he has admitted to issuing a check on a BPOA account in the amount of $3,300.00 as payment for his personal credit card.  The check was mailed to the credit card company in June 2003.  An Information was filed on October 23, 2007 charging Perrit with mail fraud.  

Perritt faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 at sentencing.  A sentencing date has not been set.

            This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph R. Batte.

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