Feds reject probation request in ex-cop’s FOP embezzlement case
While a former Porter County officer is asking for a probation, the government is seeking prison time for his embezzlement of more than $180,000 from a police organization.
Lawrence LaFlower, 43, pleaded guilty in October to one count of wire fraud for taking thousands of dollars from the Fraternal Order of Police Ewalt Jahnz Lodge No.165 in Valparaiso where he was the treasurer to support his gambling addiction, court records state.
LaFlower is scheduled to be sentenced Monday at the U.S. District Court in Hammond.
The defense requested that LaFlower be sentenced to two years of probation to be served on supervised release, according to a memorandum. As an alternative, the defense suggested house arrest for LaFlower, the memorandum states.
But the government ar- gued “a probationary sentence would be unreasonable given the nature and circumstances of this case,” court records state. A judge should reject the request for probation or home detention, according to the government.
Instead, the government recommended LaFlower serve the low end of the sentencing guideline range, which is 27 months, court records show.
“LaFlower squandered over $180,000, much of which was donated from the generous contributions of hard working police officers and private citizens,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Abizer Zanzi said in court records.
The FOP works to improve working conditions of police officers and does philanthropic work, including scholarships for students interested in careers in criminal justice and school sup- plies for students in need, Zanzi said.
This was not a “momentary lapse in judgment” by LaFlower, according to Zanzi.
“Over a five year span, LaFlower made over 80 unauthorized cash withdrawals and fraudulently issued over 30 checks to himself from FOP accounts, often in increments of $1,000 to $4,000,” Zanzi said.
One time, the FOP board requested a detailed financial report with account statements, and LaFlower “created several fabricated bank statements and presented them to the board to deceive them as to the true balances in those accounts,” according to Zanzi.
“Your Honor, I own what I did and there is nobody but to blame but myself,” LaFlower wrote in letter filed Thursday in court re- cords. “I am so remorseful for the damage I have done to the FOP, my family, my department, the Porter County community and law enforcement in general.”
LaFlower said he “hit rock bottom.” He acknowledged that he is “a compulsive gambler and will always be one for the rest of my life.” But he said “I truly believe that I am a good person that made bad decisions.”
“The majority of my adult life has been dedicated to public service, which I believe was my calling in life,” LaFlower said. “…I know now that my actions will close that chapter of my life forever.”
Porter County Sheriff David Reynolds and Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris wrote letters in support of LaFlower.
“Judge, I have dealt with many ‘Bad Guys’ over my entire career and I assure you Larry LaFlower is not a bad person,” Reynolds said. “He found himself with an addiction that he could not handle.”
Harris wrote, “I believe that he has learned great lessons from his actions. … I am proud of how he has accepted responsibility for his actions and tried to improve himself.”
LaFlower described the steps he’s taken since he was caught in May, including counseling, attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings and putting himself on a lifetime ban from Indiana casinos.
LaFlower said he’s paid $22,000 toward the $187,698.52 in restitution he agreed to pay, selling his condo and working a new job at UPS to help go toward the funds.