Former deputy indicted on fraud charges involving non-profit

SEATTLE – A former Skagit County Sheriff’s deputy has been indicted on federal charges of using Pacific Northwest Police Detection Dog Association funds for his own benefit.

The association provides training and certification to law enforcement narcotic detection K-9 teams in five states and British Columbia, Canada.

The indictment, filed Thursday, said Brian Lehr worked as a canine officer and became the association’s treasurer in 1998.

Lehr collected payments made to the association for various purposes, including its annual training conference.

The indictment said Lehr used some of those funds between 2010 and 2015 to make payments on his personal credit card, to pay cable and cell phone bills and make purchases at various stores and restaurants.

Published reports said Lehr resigned from the sheriff’s office in 2016 due to the investigation into the funds.

It was not immediately known if Lehr has a lawyer. His arraignment is set for Aug. 16.