Firefighter charged with embezzlement

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - A Rio Rancho firefighter and former president of the Rumble in Rio , an event which raises money in an annual boxing match to buy bikes for kids, has been charged with embezzlement for allegedly taking more than a $1,000 from the groups account.

Ricardo Perea became the target of a police investigation last month after a new treasurer for the Rumble in Rio Organization questioned some expenditure in the Rumble in Rio Account.

According to a police report, the payment was to a Las Cruces car dealership for repairs on Perea's personal truck.

When interviewed, Perea told officers he had gotten permission for the repairs from the organization's vice president and was on Rumble in Rio business at the time. Perea says he had to travel to Las Cruces to take pictures of several firefighters taking part in the Rumble in Rio Event.

An investigation showed Perea's claims and the dates did not match up. Digital encoding of pictures showed the pictures of the firefighters were actually taken a month later, fellow board members did not know of the expenditure and the weekend in question is the same weekend Perea's daughter moved to NMSU.

Prosecutors moved forward with an embezzlement charge against Perea. He was also put on paid administrative leave by the Rio Rancho Fire Department.
 
Chief Paul Bearce says an internal investigation is already underway and it will be complete before the case makes it's way through the court system.

Bearce says they will determine if Perea violated the conduct standards which require firefighters to present themselves in a professional manner on and off duty.

He also says while they want to take action immediately, they will review it again once the case is through the court system.

Perea has resigned from his position on the Rumble in Rio Board and paid back the money.

Organizers say the event will go on and they have changed their policies and procedures since this incident.