A 22-year veteran of the Vermont State Police who resigned after possible time-sheet fraud is facing charges.
Sgt. Jim Deeghan of Colchester pleaded not guilty on Friday to two counts of false swearing.
Prosecutor T.J. Donovan called it a "crime of opportunity," saying Deeghan reported responding to two car crashes and a false alarm but none of the incidents happened.
Last year, Deeghan was paid about $136,000, about $56,000 more than his base pay, although a trooper can typically expect to make about $30,000 in overtime a year.
Gov. Peter Shumlin said this week that a criminal investigation is under way into Deeghan's alleged actions, as well as an audit to determine if there is a pattern of activity in other areas of the state police.
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