Former Velda City Police Chief accused of stealing $313,000 from city

Former Velda City Police Chief and City Administrator Accused of Embezzling $313,000 from City Funds

In a shocking turn of events, the former Velda City Police Chief and City Administrator, Daniel Paulino, stands accused of stealing a staggering sum of $313,000 from city coffers. The allegations have sent ripples of disbelief through the community, as the former police chief was once a respected figure in the city administration.

Daniel Paulino, who served as both the Velda City Police Chief and City Administrator, is now under a cloud of suspicion. The charges levelled against him are severe, alleging that he misappropriated city funds to the tune of $313,000 over a period of time. This case has brought the spotlight onto the issue of corruption within the public sector, a topic that has been the subject of much debate in recent years.

The accusations against Paulino are severe and have raised several questions about the checks and balances in place within the city's administration. The funds, which are said to have been siphoned off the city's treasury, were supposed to be used for public welfare and city development projects. The alleged act of stealing from city funds is not just a legal violation, but also a breach of the trust that the residents of Velda had placed in their former police chief.

Details of the investigation into the matter reveal that the misappropriation of funds was discovered during a routine audit of the city's finances. The audit revealed discrepancies that led to a deeper investigation, ultimately pointing towards Paulino as the alleged perpetrator.

Daniel Paulino has been indicted on three counts of wire fraud, accused of embezzling over $313,000 from the city during his tenure. The charges stem from allegations that Paulino misused city funds for personal expenses, including unauthorized credit card transactions, direct deposits into personal accounts, and payments to businesses he or his spouse owned.

Specific allegations include:KCUR+1KSDK+1

• Using the city's credit card approximately 828 times for personal purchases totaling  $145,428. KCUR+2 https://www.firstalert4.com+2Spectrum News+2

• Transferring $43,870 to businesses he or his spouse owned.

• Writing eight checks from city funds for personal expenses, including a $25,500 check to purchase a tow truck for his business. https://www.firstalert4.com+1Spectrum News+1

• Making 75 direct deposits totaling over $85,000 into his personal accounts under the guise of payroll. https://www.firstalert4.com+1Spectrum News+1

Paulino also caused about 20 direct deposits totaling $30,667 in city funds, purportedly for additional payroll, into his personal account, the indictment says. He caused about 55 direct deposits of a total of about $54,693 in Velda City funds, purportedly for his spouse’s payroll, to be sent to his personal bank account, the indictment says. Paulino’s spouse was being paid for work that was not actually performed in the city’s public works division during the years 2021 through 2023 and Paulino used that money for his own personal expenses, the indictment says.

The indictment also alleges that Paulino caused three city checks totaling $1,800 to be fraudulently issued to him.

Paulino served as police chief for over a decade until the department was dissolved in 2024. His attorney has stated that they were aware of the investigation and plan to plead not guilty.

The city of Velda, known for its peaceful neighborhoods and community-centric initiatives, has been left in shock by these accusations. Residents are grappling with the alleged breach of trust by a person who was once tasked with upholding the law and ensuring the safety and security of the city.

The legal proceedings against Paulino are expected to be complex, given his former position of authority within the city.