Del. state troopers admit to falsifying pay records

Georgetown, D.E. - June 30, 2011

Master Corporal Valerie Robinson Palacio, Sergeant Michael Whaley, and Sergeant Lance Willey all pled guilty to their charges.

An internal investigation earlier this year first revealed the claims, and eventually led to a full scale criminal investigation.

The falsified records stemmed from the transport of patients to residential mental health facilities.

Patient transports are routinely done by one trooper. In an instance where the patient involved reacts violently, then two troopers would be needed.

Investigators found various records stating that two troopers were involved in the transport of patient when there was only one. They also found records indicating that a single trooper transported multiple patients at one time.

As a part of their plea agreement, the offending troopers were fined and had to paid restitution for their false pay records.

They also gave up their police certifications, and agreed to no longer work in Delaware law enforcement.

All three troopers retired from the Delaware State Police earlier this month.

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