by
Doug Erlien –
St. Paul Police Officer has been accused of
using someone else's identity to funnel money to a man in prison. According to
the department, Officer Ruby Diaz started with the St. Paul Police Department
as an intern in 1999.
Diaz
is accused of developing a relationship with Ramone Smaller who is currently in
prison in St. Cloud for attempted murder and was charged Friday with aiding in
multiple drive by shootings last fall. Officer Diaz has been charged with
forging her personal trainer’s identity in order to funnel $1,500 to Smaller’s
account in prison.
“I’ve
always promised we will not leave any stone unturned and we have not,” said St.
Paul Police Chief Tom Smith. “We work with a lot of people and it’s
disappointing information about this officer. But putting all these facts
together we didn’t leave one stone unturned.”
Until
the incident, Diaz hadn’t had any disciplinary action on her record with the
department. Over the years she has been part of the gang unit and most
recently, School Liaison Officer at Humboldt.
The
Hennepin County Prosecutors Office is handling the case to avoid any conflict
of interest. Officer Diaz has been placed on paid administrative leave.