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NEW INFO: Previous "Officer of the Year" Indicted Save Email Print
Posted: 4:03 PM May 16, 2008
 Last Updated: 1:56 AM May 17, 2008
 Reporter: Mike Waterhouse
Email Address: mike.waterhouse@wsaz.com
38 comments
A | A | A

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A fifth Charleston Police officer has been accused of double dipping.

According to a news release from the Kanawha County Prosecutor's office, Keith Peoples, 44 of Charleston, was indicted for allegedly "obtaining by fraudulent scheme and computer fraud."

Chief Brent Webster tells WSAZ that Peoples was placed on administrative leave Friday morning after the department learned of the indictment.

Webster says he can't confirm that the charge is related to anything on the job.

WSAZ has obtained a copy of the grand jury indictment. It alleges that between January 19, 2000, and August 24, 2004, Peoples clocked in at both the Charleston Police Department and the Charleston Town Center multiple times.

Peoples received at least $1,000 by double dipping, according to the indictment.

Peoples will be arraigned in Judge James Stucky's courtroom on May 30th at 11:00pm.

He was named Charleston's "Officer of the Year" in 2004.


Four other Charleston Police officers have been indicted on similar charges. Here's a timeline:

APRIL 2007: James "Chip" Nowling was found guilty of working 2,000 hours at the Town Center at the same time he was clocked in as a police officer.

OCTOBER 2007: Eric Eagle admitted to working 117 overlapping hours.

NOVEMBER 2007: Lola Hart pleaded no contest to working 300 overlapping hours at the Charleston Town Center and the department.

NOVEMBER 2007: Jim Sands entered a "Kennedy plea" to working 164 overlapping hours between the Town Center and the Charleston Police Department. This means he was not willing to admit to committing a crime, but agrees to take the sentence imposed for such a crime because he knew he would likely be found guilty of the crime.
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Posted by: booger on May 20, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Hey anon at 4:46. I'm not stupid and power-hungry enough to have that worthless job. Most cops are ex high school bullies who still feel like picking on someone. I hope they ALL get arrested. Police are no help to anybody anyways.
Posted by: Ace on May 20, 2008 at 12:55 AM
How many of our highest rankings officials have been doing this for years,from the president,senators,congressmen, and mayors you get the idea. How many of these officials are being charged with crimes? There are a lot more things going on that`s a whole lot more important . How about the child molesters, rapists and killers.? SO IF WE'RE GOING TO CHARGE THESE OFFICERS FOR THEIR CRIMES, LET`S LOOK AT ALL PARTS OF OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICE FROM PHONE BILLS, TO HOW MANY LUNCHES, TO ALL DETAILS, THEN LETS JUDGE THEM. I'M ALMOST SURE WE WOULD HAVE A LOT OF INDICTMENTS, And a lot more crimes lost in the shuffle,so lets take time and think about what's more important. AND LET'S NOT FORGET, "WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS".
Posted by: Anonymous on May 19, 2008 at 04:46 PM
ONLY a person named 'booger' would make such a WASTE of space comment! Lets see if you would risk your life for under 15 bucks a hour. Loser!
Posted by: jc on May 19, 2008 at 04:07 PM
If criminals made more money they probably wouldn´t have to rob and steal. This logic using the police example is similarly ridiculous. Those who have posted this are as well.
Posted by: booger on May 19, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Maybe if these piggies would do thier job, then maybe they would get paid more...
Posted by: hal on May 19, 2008 at 09:18 AM
i know officer peoples he has always been a very nice gentleman to me, doesn't seem like these officers committed the crime of the century now does it? maybe they should be paid more so they don't have to resort to these tactics
Posted by: Pablo on May 18, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Something else to think about before we all start "casting the first stone," on Officer Peoples. Have any of us ever made a personal phone call during work hours? If so, we are doing the same thing Officer Peoples is doing; we're doing our own personal stuff on company time. We may not be getting paid for it, but we are cheating our employer. Something to think about before we pass judgement on Officer Peoples.
Posted by: Rebecca on May 18, 2008 at 12:36 PM
IS it relly that big of a deal that a man that risks his life is trying to make a better life for himself and his family? I have to agree with others. If we would pay these men and women what their duties are worth, then they wouldn't have to seek outside employment to make ends meet..Do we not have other issues facing this nation as a whole that require more attention than a honest man that protects the city streets working a second job..COME ON..Why stick the law to these, and not those out murdering, rapind, and those that are really taking life away from others...Does it hurt us that he works two jobs..Or does it hurt us more when these other criminals are sent free to do their crimes again....
Posted by: Anonymous on May 17, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Maybe if we paid officers what the deserve for putting their lifes on the line, maybe they would not be working a second job anyways. They need to be resting when they are off of duty so they can be at their best for the next shift.
Posted by: ME on May 17, 2008 at 09:21 PM
It amazes me that he is not in jail, just because he a police officer, if it were a ordinary person (and not someone with the law) they would be sitting in jail right now. i just love the way our legal system is. and by the way if he was so innocent then why was he caught.
Posted by: Joachim on May 17, 2008 at 09:04 PM
JOHN, if you had ended your sentence in the middle of your 6th word before the letter "e" I'd have to agree.
Posted by: Sgt. Kabuki on May 17, 2008 at 09:03 PM
This can't be true! Everyone knows that all cops are law-abiding citizens.
Posted by: Pablo on May 17, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Two things to remember here. First, Officer Peoples is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The second thing to remember is that this is not typical of others in law enforcement. Every profession will have some that, shall we say, take the wrong path. But it doesn't mean that all in that profession does. Most by far in law enforcement are honest, hard working, decent people who have my thanks for doing a great job. Also, I'd like to straighten out a common misconception some have made comments about in here. Law enforcement doesn't lock up anyone and "throw away the key." The court system does that. Law enforcement is a seperate part of government from the court system. So, when you hear that someone recieved too much time for a crime, not enough time for a crime, was let loose because of "lack of evidence," was let out of jail/prisono early, etc., don't blame the cops. Blame the court system.
Posted by: Charleston Officer on May 17, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Keith Peoples is not guilty of these charges and he is one of the best officers on the Charleston Police Department. If Chip Nowling would have taken his punishment for what he did, then this day would not have never happened.
Posted by: JOHN on May 17, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Officer Peoples is a great asset to the city of charleston, and I believe he is innocent.
Posted by: typical on May 17, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Typical hypocritical law enforcement...these are the same people who bust people for the same crimes and throw away the key.....have fun in prison
Posted by: reader on May 17, 2008 at 10:53 AM
How could people say so many bad comments about a wonderful man? This is a wrongful accusation and people know that it is. They are wasting their time with this case and wasting tax payers money by pursuing a case like this. I know Mr.Peoples very well and I know he is an honesty hard working man and would never do anything like this. He is always there when needed. He was Officer of the Year for a reason. I stand behind Mr.Peoples 1000%.
Posted by: kevin on May 17, 2008 at 10:36 AM
who is to blame the officers or the city ? the city had to know this was happening with this many officers doing it the only problem noe is they have been found out and the city is not standing up and taking any blame and if they did not know than it is poor management on the citys part.
Posted by: Melinda on May 17, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Ya know its not funny because he did know better but what makes me even madder about these stories just alike in the media is no one can afford to be honest and work for a living because you never make up for it your still broke thanks to congress and bush's so called atimulus payment. That people who work have to think of other scandalas ways to make more money. And your going to see it get alot worse if prices on oil, food,& everything else not go down. Here they get help in countries that are trying to kill us than we get treated in our own country. THIS COUNTRY IS BECOMING COMMUNISM.
Posted by: Candi on May 17, 2008 at 09:12 AM
I personally know of several people that Peoples arrested for the very same charge, how interesting! Now, lets hope Judge Stucky gives him what he deserves and not a slap on the wrist. Wrong is wrong no matter who you are, and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Posted by: evrybody needs a laugh on May 17, 2008 at 02:07 AM
"double dipping" were they "double dipping" their donuts? ha ha ha they got caught doing a SMALL thing that every 1 does SO WHAT? is anyone really foolish enough 2 believe that all your tax $ goes 2 "stopping crime"? if this is the worst they have done leave'm be. BUT guys dont hate the news 4 reporting thats their job and I didnt see anything bias in the report.
Posted by: Vic Sims on May 17, 2008 at 01:33 AM
CPD OFFICER, well it looks like you buddy Keith is a criminal as well so him and the news have something in common. You'll be caught as well before too long.
Posted by: Anon on May 17, 2008 at 12:36 AM
With the way the economy is anymore, who can really blame them ? alot of people seem to think they have one of the best paying jobs out there. For the time they put in away from family, with the chance of never coming home again, they do not get paid nearly enough, and with the cost of gas and food these days, I cannot blame them a bit. It's not like these officers were robbing a bank or shaking down drug dealers, they were getting paid by two employers for the same amount of work. A situation I wouldn't mind being in myself. This, to me was only slightly dishonest, but then again, I think we have all been slightly dishonest at one point in our lives. Ever gotten too much change back, or looked at your receipt and saw you didn't get charged for something and never went back to say anything ? If you say yes but you went back to pay for or return the change, there is a really good chance you are being dishonest again just by making that statement. Think twice before flaming me.
Posted by: morgo on May 17, 2008 at 12:10 AM
How does management at charleston town center not catch this? They should be at fault as much as the police officer.
Posted by: Mike on May 17, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Good Ohnest Cop. Yea Right. Good Ohnest Cops dont Steal, Cheat , and Lie like Peoples did.Wake up folks cops put their pants on one leg at a time just like us.
Posted by: Eric on May 16, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Keith Peoples is a good police officer! I hate to hear what is going on now, but when you or your family is ever in need of a good honest man Keith has been there to serve and protect all you idiots that are making bad comments about him! Your streets and neighborhoods have been safer with men like him patroling them!!!!!!
Posted by: News on May 16, 2008 at 11:32 PM
For the officers saying that the news slants the story, please get a grip. The information about this case is printed in black and white in court documentation. Absolutely nothing in this report is slanted. It is simply the facts presented by the investigators. Despite your desperate need to try and bash the news people, put the blame on your own officers who ratted each other out and turned each other in. We have no stake in this. We have no motivation to be slanted. We presented the facts and nothing we said was slanted or false. Sorry to disappoint you. It's obvious you are trying to place the blame somewhere other than where it actually belongs. It's pretty pathetic.
Posted by: CPD OFFICER on May 16, 2008 at 10:57 PM
ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE NEWS SLANTS THE STORY VERY, VERY, BADLY. THE NEWS IS IN THE SAME LEAGUE AS CRIMINALS.
Posted by: Jeanette on May 16, 2008 at 10:48 PM
I know Officer Keith Peoples. Not only is he a great Police Officer, Keith is a wonderful man. I can not and will not believe that he double dipped intentionally! He is a honest man !
Posted by: Citizen on May 16, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Charleston cops are crooked but they are not as bad as the huntington cops. Huntington cops are the worst excuse of officers i have ever seen. Also i believed to see police officers drinking on the job. charleston has a really good police force but i believe that some old timers may be alittle too comftrable with their jobs. they need to be scared into doing the right things all the time.
Posted by: wanda / charleston on May 16, 2008 at 10:18 PM
how could you be cop of the year when you break more laws than the ones you are being charged with, you know now whats going on with charleston cops,dirty.
Posted by: CITIZEN X on May 16, 2008 at 08:42 PM
WHO SAYS COPS ARE NOT CROOKED! MAYBE IT'S THE TIP OF THE ICEBURG. IT'S SLOWLY MELTING AND I CAN SEE OTHERS INDICTED. I AM TAKING BETS IF THIS IS NOT TALKED ABOUT, THIS WILL GO AWAY! REMEMBER JUSTICE OR JUST US!
Posted by: Shame on May 16, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Serve and protect does not mean spread yourself thin for extra money and hope for the best. Shame on all of you!
Posted by: Mike on May 16, 2008 at 07:53 PM
I think someone got their panties in a bunch because someone was getting more then someone else, and then spilled the beans.
Posted by: Levi on May 16, 2008 at 07:50 PM
If Law Enforcement Officers got paid what they should be paid, like Doctors and Attorneys get paid. Cops wouldn't have to double dip to feed their families. If you think Cops make good money, I have one question to ask you; what plant do you live on? The news makes this all sound like these officers had been stopping by the town center and clocking in, after that they wasn't ever seen any more that shift. That's not true,They would run in and out all shift. This gose on in every Police Department all over the United States. In fact some officers are so under paid like in New Orleans, Officers have to work their patrol and work security for two or three businesses just to make ends meet. I know some of you will read this and say,"Well if they don't like the pay they should quit!" My only wish is that all Cops in United States would go on strike and walk off the job for two weeks. I would bet my life people out there would demand Police should get paid like Doctors and Attorneys!
Posted by: a reader on May 16, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Why was Peoples named "Officer of the Year"? I did research on the internet and could not find anything.
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