Follow-up: Former Rio Grande City police chief found dead after FBI theft allegations
RIO GRANDE CITY >> A former Rio Grande City police chief died in what authorities said Tuesday was a possible suicide, hours after the FBI accused him of stealing more than $44,000 in federal grant money.
Byron "Dutch" Piper, who retired last December, was found dead overnight at his home, with a possible self-inflicted gunshot wound, current Rio Grande City police Chief Noe Castillo said.
The FBI had filed a theft complaint Monday accusing Piper of stealing grant money since 2009 meant for overtime pay for border security operations carried out by local police. Piper had been scheduled for a court appearance Tuesday in McAllen, officials said.
Federal agents received information last October that Piper, 63, may have been submitting time sheets reflecting hours for work not done, the affidavit said. Agents conducted surveillance on Piper on several dates in December, finding that he appeared to do little, if any, actual police work, the complaint said.
Read more: http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_28369771/ex-police-chief-found-dead-after-fbi-theft
Earlier thread:
Former Rio Grande City police chief accused of stealing federal money