Former policeman, wife accused of stealing $73K from charity

Law enforcement officials say a former Boise police officer and his wife are accused of stealing roughly $73,800 from a charity.

The Idaho Statesman reports that Mark Furniss, and his wife Sara, allegedly misappropriated funds from Treasure Valley Lodge #11 Fraternal Order of Police for the last five years. The nonprofit lodge raises money to assist fallen officers and their families.

Mark Furniss joined Boise police in 2007 and later became president of the local charity. He was suspended when the charity launched an investigation over its finances and has since resigned. Meanwhile, Sara Furniss was a part-time staffer for the charity.

The investigation found evidence that the couple had used the charity’s various credit cards for personal expenses and that Sara Furniss was overpaying herself.

The two have been charged with felony grand theft and have preliminary hearings on Dec. 23.

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Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com