This afternoon, Officer Richard M. Watts of the Providence Division was charged with the Class H Felony of Exploitation of an Elder or Disabled Adult (GS 14-112.2) subsection (c).
These charges resulted from a cooperative investigation between the Department of Social Services Adult Protective Services and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Financial Crimes Unit and were filed after the case was reviewed by the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office. The charges stem from the alleged exploitation of assets related to the care of an elderly family member.
At this time, there have been no allegations and no evidence discovered that links Officer Watts to any fraudulent activity on any member of the community outside of his family. These charges are not related in any way to the performance of his duties while acting as a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer.
The findings of the criminal investigation have been turned over to the Internal Affairs Bureau and a second Administrative investigation is being conducted into the allegations filed. Officer Watts has currently been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the Internal Investigation, and he has been cited for termination. Officer Watts was hired on May 27, 1992 and is currently assigned to the Providence Division. (Read more)
