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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Suspended Officer Accused Of Lying, Forgery Meehan Turns In Badge After Tip From Citizen Leads To Three Charges

FROM FOR THE RECORD (Saturday, September 6, 1997): Correction: Wrong charge: Spokane Police Officer Markus Meehan is not accused of the crime of forgery. He is charged with false swearing for allegedly preparing a false police report. A story and headline on The Region page of Friday’s Spokesman-Review incorrectly labeled the accusation.

A Spokane police officer accused of lying to his colleagues and forging a police report has been charged with three misdemeanors and suspended from his job, Chief Terry Mangan said Thursday.

Markus V. Meehan, 31, surrendered his badge and gun Wednesday, Mangan said.

He is charged with two counts of obstructing a police officer and one count of false swearing for preparing a bogus report, Mangan said.

Additional charges of associating with prostitutes and using illegal drugs may be filed against the four-year member of the force, Mangan said.

Meehan has been banned from the Public Safety Building but will continue to be paid until the criminal aspect of the case is resolved, the chief added.

“This is not only a violation of the public trust, but breaches our own code of ethics and departmental standards,” Mangan said. “We hold our people to the highest expectations.”

Meehan could not be reached for comment. Police Cpl. Russ Cox, president of the Spokane Police Guild, did not return a call seeking comment.

Meehan is a member of the Guild and requested his union representative when confronted with the allegations, Mangan said.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred several months ago, when Meehan and several other officers went into a local restaurant searching for a woman wanted on a warrant, Mangan said.

“Officer Meehan knew the subject by sight, but according to our information, he told officers that the woman was the sister of the wanted person,” the chief said. “He knew she was wanted. He protected her from being arrested.”

Meehan may have had a romantic relationship with the unidentified woman, Mangan added.

Police administrators became aware of Meehan’s actions when a citizen who knew the woman called authorities and reported the incident, Mangan said.

Internal affairs detectives launched an investigation, which culminated this week.

Meehan worked as a patrol officer on the graveyard shift and was assigned to the northeast part of the city. Mangan described him as an average officer with no other personnel problems.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo