ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) - Authorities say a New Jersey police officer has been arrested at her department’s headquarters and charged with illegally collecting insurance benefits.
Thirty-nine-year-old Alana Velazquez, an officer with the Elizabeth Police Department, is accused of receiving more than $8,600 in disability benefits by falsifying how she was injured. NJ.com reports (https://bit.ly/2wtFLPG ) Velazquez was injured on the job in 2016, but prosecutors say she submitted false documents to her insurance company to make it look like she was injured off the job - for which she would be covered.
Her attorney, Joshua McMahon, says Velazquez is innocent and the charges are retaliation for prior actions. McMahon says Velazquez has a lawsuit pending against the city alleging discrimination.
Elizabeth Police Chief John Brennan says there’s no connection between Velazquez’s lawsuit and the charges.
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Information from: NJ.com, https://www.nj.com
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