Pubdate: Fri, 01 Apr 2016
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2016 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Kieran Nicholson

DENVER OFFICER RESIGNS AMID INVESTIGATION

A veteran Denver police officer has resigned amid an internal 
investigation into allegations that he provided security services to 
a marijuana business.

Officer Lewis Padilla, who joined the Denver Police Department in 
1994, resigned Wednesday.

"He resigned during an ongoing internal investigation," said Sonny 
Jackson, a department spokesman.

An internal complaint was filed Oct. 2 regarding Padilla's alleged 
operation of a "business in violation of department policies and 
municipal ordinances."

The complaint was filed after a Sept. 23 incident. A Denver detective 
inspecting a legal marijuana cultivation operation encountered two 
security guards who told the detective that they worked for Padilla, 
according to police investigative documents.

Working for marijuana businesses is in violation of the department's 
off-duty employment policies.

The case against Padilla alleges he allowed individuals convicted of 
felonies to use an unmarked, licensed Crown Victoria police car 
equipped with red and blue lights.

Padilla also allegedly failed to secure required licenses for his 
security business and allegedly hired guards who did not possess 
necessary licenses.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom