METHUEN – A member of the Methuen Police Department has been indicted after an investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds from the Methuen Police Patrolman’s Association.
An Essex County Grand Jury today indicted Mark Whitaker, age 54, of Salem, N.H. on two counts each of Larceny over $1,200 by single scheme and embezzlement from a voluntary association.
The indictments allege that Whittaker embezzled and stole money from the Methuen Patrolman’s Union from 2015 to April of 2019.
Whittaker was previously treasurer of the police patrolman’s union. He was placed on paid administrative leave April 9, 2019 regarding an unrelated matter. Financial irregularities were discovered when other officers took over fiduciary duties for the Patrolman’s Association. The information was brought to police administration; the police department immediately launched an investigation and contacted the Essex District Attorney’s Office.
With news of the indictments, Whittaker will now be moved to unpaid suspension pending the outcome of this case.
“This case represents a staggering abuse of trust and the theft of money from police officers allegedly by one of our own,” Chief Solomon said.
“I wish to commend the officers who caught the theft of their own union’s funds and the investigators who so thoroughly worked to ensure truth and justice in this matter,” Mayor Jajuga added.
Whittaker will be arraigned at a later date. An arraignment date has not been scheduled.
Whittaker was hired as a reserve officer in May 1998 and elevated to full-time patrolman in June 2000.