Academy officer subject of fraud investigation

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs bureau is investigating a veteran officer for potential overtime fraud, Assistant Police Chief Peter Newsham said Monday.

The probe involves allegations that the officer, assigned to the police academy, billed the department for hours the officer didn’t work, Newsham said. It appears to be an isolated instance, and no charges have been filed, he said.  – William C. Flook

Police issue summons in hotel snake case

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The Arlington snake man, Peter Nguyen, 39, is believed to have been the owner of 17 snakes — 12 venemous — that were found late last week in a Fairfax City hotel room, police said. That’s the same Nguyen who inspired Arlington’s recent outlawing of venemous snakes as pets after neighbors complained about dangerous snakes escaping from cages in his garage.

The snakes discovered by police Thursday night at the Hy-Way Motel were located in a room rented under Nguyen’s name. On Saturday, police issued Nguyen a misdemeanor summons for each of seven species of “exotic or vicious” snakes stored in cages. – Freeman Klopott

Dog missing on the grounds of Dulles Airport

Somewhere, on the grounds of Washington Dulles International Airport, a dog is on the loose, and the owners, along with United Airlines, which played a role in losing Jeddah, 4, are offering $5,000 for her return, United Airlines said. It all started when the owners had to switch their kennel to one that met federal standards Thursday night. Just before boarding, they were told Jeddah had gone missing.

The airline said they’ve had people searching every day, and pilots are aware the dog is likely still on airport grounds. – Freeman Klopott

Ex-police officer gets 4 years in bribery case

A former Montgomery County police officer and federal Department of Homeland Security contractor was sentenced to four years in prison Monday for bribing a federal employee to get contracts for his company Holiday International Security Inc., said Rod Rosenstein, U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland.

Through his company, Michael Holiday, 51, of Silver Spring, provided armed and unarmed security for 18 federal agencies. Between 2000 and 2003 he repeatedly bribed Dessie Nelson, a former General Services Administration employee, in exchange for her help in securing $130 million in contracts. – Freeman Klopott