Lakewood officer accused of embezzlement has history of financial problems

KIRO 7 has learned the Lakewood police officer accused of embezzling donations from a fund for the families of officers killed in the line of duty has a history of financial problems going back several years.

South Sound reporter Kevin McCarty uncovered court documents naming 34-year-old Officer Skeeter Manos as defendant in lawsuits for unpaid bills and court orders to garnish his wages. A source told McCarty Manos was behind on his mortgage and was known to have money problems.

Court records show his paycheck from the Lakewood Police Department was garnished in June 2010 for failure to pay a medical bill totaling more than $1,900.  Manos was sued by Ford Motor Credit in June 2006 for more than $12,000 for failing to make payments on a vehicle he had purchased.

A source close to the investigation told McCarty that Manos had collections for unpaid debts on his credit report for the years 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Manos faces charges in federal court for allegedly siphoning off more than $150,000 from the Fallen Officers Fund established after four Lakewood police officers were shot and killed in November 2009. Manos was treasurer of the Lakewood Police Independent Guild during the time the money was allegedly embezzled. He has been released without bail after appearing in U.S. District court in Tacoma on Wednesday.