After bank employees accidentally deposited a US$100,000 (RM472,150) cheque into a police officer’s account, he spent thousands of those dollars, a New Jersey prosecutor said.

       The money wasn’t his to spend, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

       Atlantic City Police officer LaQuay DuBose, 37, of Atlantic City, spent more than US$35,000 (RM165,252) from the cheque, the office said in a Jan 19 news release.

       Now, he’s charged with third-degree theft, according to officials.

       Information regarding his legal representation wasn’t immediately available Jan 19.

       On March 27, bank employees realised the mistake and withdrew the money – leading to US$35,903.17 (RM169,516) overdrawn from DuBose’s account, which the bank then closed, the office said.

       The Atlantic City Police Department suspended him without pay, The Press of Atlantic City reported.

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       “In March 2023, the Atlantic City Police Department was notified of discrepancies regarding the personal bank account of Officer LaQuay Dubose,” police Lt. Kevin Fair said in a statement, according to the newspaper.

       “In accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines, the information was forwarded to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office to review and investigate. Ultimately, criminal charges were filed against Dubose,” Fair added. – The Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service