Charge Ex-Cop Stole Thousands From Colleague

By ARI PAUL

A retired Police Officer was charged Jan. 8 with taking money from the bank accounts of an injured colleague who had granted him power of attorney.

Marvin Vasquez, 46, had taken over the financial affairs of fellow Police Department retiree Carlos Lajara, who was nearly killed in a car accident in 2004, according to the Queens District Attorney's office. Between October 2004 and February 2006, Mr. Vasquez made several withdrawals, and spent $3,000 of Mr. Lajara's money on a family cruise.

He also spent hundreds of dollars of Mr. Lajara's funds on car repairs, gifts, and use of a shooting range. Mr. Vasquez was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. He was released on $10,000 bail and will return to court on Jan. 28.

"According to the charges, the defendant took advantage of this friend's poor health to steal almost $20,000 from him," said Queens DA Richard A. Brown in a statement. "The charges are serious and if true represent a betrayal of his friend's trust."