A former Philadelphia cop has been charged with theft of
services after he allegedly scammed nearly $10,000 by meddling with his home’s
electric meter to save on utility bills, according to the District Attorney’s
Office.
Douglas Diemidio, 50, of South Philadelphia, turned himself
in to police this afternoon. Authorities say he tampered with the meter at his
home on 12th Street near Tasker over four years in an effort to avoid full
payment of his PECO bills. His arrest came after an investigation by PECO, the
Police Department’s Internal Affairs unit and the District Attorney’s special
investigations unit.
Diemidio joined the Department in July 1993 and worked in
the 18th District, at 55th and Pine in West Philadelphia, until he resigned
Sept. 23, said Officer Jillian Russell, a police spokeswoman.
This isn't the first time Philly's finest have been accused
of stealing public utilities. Last fall, the Department fired two officers -
Lt. Aisha Perry and Officer George Suarez - after both got arrested for theft
of services. Both were accused of stealing from PGW, PECO and the water
department.
