Former CT police sergeant accused of embezzling over $180K from Police Benevolent Association

A former police sergeant in Milford previously arrested for allegedly firing a gun into the air in 2020 was arrested again this week and accused of misappropriating more than $180,000 from the Milford Police Benevolent Association.

Peter Parks, 42, was charged Tuesday with one count of first-degree larceny, according to the Milford Police Department.

Parks resigned from the Milford Police Department in June prior to a termination hearing that followed an internal investigation and subsequent criminal investigation into the embezzled funds, police said.

According to police, it was discovered in April that Parks had stolen funds over the course of several years from the PBA in his role as president. Parks’ police powers were suspended at the time and he was relieved of his duties when an internal affairs investigation was initiated on May 2, police said.

Upon learning of the findings of the internal investigation, Milford police Chief Keith Mello recommended to the police commission that Parks be terminated from his role as sergeant, according to police. A termination hearing was scheduled for June 29, but police said Parks resigned the day of the hearing before the proceedings could take place.

Milford police said their criminal investigation into the embezzled funds was assisted by the Division of Criminal Justice, Office of the Chief State’s Attorney and the Milford State’s Attorney’s office. A Forensic Fraud Examiner from the Division of Criminal Justice reviewed the PBA financial records and conducted a financial analysis of the accounts, finding that Parks misappropriated about $184,000 of PBA funds, police said.

Police on Monday obtained a warrant to arrest Parks and apprehended him the next day. He is free on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Milford Superior Court on Dec. 26.

Parks was previously arrested in January 2020 and accused of firing a gun into the air outside a local home during a domestic violence incident. He was charged at the time with one count of unlawful discharge of a firearm.

The outcome of the firearm case was not immediately available Wednesday.