An Atlantic City police officer accused of spending money after it was accidentally deposited into his bank account is suspended without pay.
LaQuay DuBose, 37, is charged with third-degree theft after Republic Bank employees inadvertently deposited a $100,000 check into his checking account March 21.
Bank personnel realized the error six days later, withdrew the money and closed DuBose's account, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
In the meantime, DuBose spent more than $35,000 of that money, causing his account to be overdrawn by $35,903.17.
DuBose's attorney claims the charges are retaliation for numerous internal affairs complaints "he has made against a superior in the Atlantic City Police Department due to the harassment he has witnessed and endured."
Durann Neil says his client provided proof of a Workers Compensation settlement that he was expecting to receive around the same time as the deposit. It was more than $100,000, he told BreakingAC.
DuBose, who was born and raised in the city, "has displayed a pristine work history and has saved multiple lives including juveniles, the homeless, mentally ill citizens and family of other officers," Neil said. "Mr. DuBose maintains his innocence throughout this legal process. We look forward to obtaining a dismissal and getting to the root of this witch hunt."
The Atlantic City Police Department indicated in a statement released to BreakingAC that it was notified of the discrepancy, which was passed on to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office for investigation, as required under Attorney General Guidelines.
There is no narrative in the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC that would detail the case.
It does indicate that DuBose gave a recorded statement during an interview at the station.
DuBose was one of several Special Law Enforcement Officer II promoted to full time in 2019.
In a long Facebook post DuBose put on his page under the name Tic Tac, he questioned why the first time his name made the news was on "FALSE ALLEGATIONS," and then listed several of his accomplishments asking where those reports were.
The investigation was conducted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards and Accountability Unit.
DuBose was charged on a summons and was not jailed.
