Summary

On May 10, 2012, in El Paso County court, El Paso, Texas, Michael Arzaga, former police officer for the El Paso Police Department, was indicted for tampering with a government record with the intent to defraud.  

The former police officer was charged in a 15-count indictment for submitting overtime reimbursement requests containing false information as to the times worked and number of traffic citations issued.  The fraudulent tickets were submitted in 2009 and 2010 while working overtime under the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, which is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  Mr. Arzaga is one of 22 El Paso police officers under investigation for this traffic ticket overtime scheme. 

This investigation is being conducted jointly with the El Paso Police Department and El Paso County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from NHTSA and the Texas Department of Transportation.

Note:  Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.