A former Boise police officer and his wife are facing felony grand theft charges.
Mark Furniss and his wife, Sara Furniss, were charged Friday following an internal investigation.
The Treasure Valley Lodge #11 Fraternal Order of Police released a statement saying during the time that Mark was President and his wife Sara was the office manager --tens of thousands of dollars went missing.
The nonprofit lodge raises money to assist fallen officers and their families.
The Furnisses are scheduled to appear in court December 5th.
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The full statement from Fraternal Order of Police - Treasure Valley Lodge #11:
November 23, 2016
To: Community Members,
In January 2016, members of the Executive Board of the Fraternal Order of Police - Treasure Valley Lodge #11 discovered discrepancies within the financial accounts of the lodge. Given the nature of the discrepancies, then Lodge President, Mark Furniss, was immediately asked to step down from his position while a committee of lodge members was formed to further explore the possibility of criminal misconduct. In less than three weeks, this exploratory committee found evidence that suggested criminal wrong doing by Mark and his wife Sara, who was employed, at that time, as a part time Office Manager for the Treasure Valley Lodge. Sara was also asked to terminate her employment with the lodge due to the initial discoveries made by the exploratory committee.
The evidence found was immediately turned over to the Meridian Police Department as well as the Boise Police Department, Internal Affairs office, to investigate the possibility of criminal acts carried out by both Mark and Sara Furniss. The criminal investigation was later turned over to the Nampa Police Department to alleviate any concerns of conflict.
After several months of investigation, during which, the lodge and its members were fully cooperative and supportive, we have been notified by the investigating agency that probable cause was found to charge Mark and Sara Furniss with criminal acts against the lodge and its members.
The alleged victims of these crimes are largely sworn law enforcement officers from around the Treasure Valley, both current and retired, as well as law enforcement support staff such as dispatchers and community service officers.
Although it is heartbreaking to learn of these alleged crimes by persons we trusted, I am extremely proud of the way the situation was handled by the members of the lodge as well as the Executive Board.
Immediately upon discovery of the alleged criminal violations, we as a lodge Executive Board, have enacted additional stringent processes and controls to ensure that this type of misconduct does not occur again. We believe in the criminal justice system and are confident in the investigation as well as the pending outcome of any criminal proceeding.
Respectfully,
Joseph Andreoli - President
Fraternal Order of Police - Treasure Valley Lodge #11
