Adelanto Police Chief Accused of Embezzlement

The police chief of the fast-growing Mojave Desert city of Adelanto was arrested Tuesday and charged with 36 felony counts of embezzling more than $30,000 in drug investigation and canine operation funds.

Philip Genaway, 53, pleaded not guilty to the charges after being booked at San Bernardino County Jail. Genaway, arrested at his home, was released on his own recognizance pending an Oct. 28 pretrial hearing.

San Bernardino County authorities, who led a one-year investigation of the chief, said Genaway pocketed checks from the city and from a casino. A state Department of Justice handwriting analysis indicated that the five-year chief in some cases prepared false invoices for canine-related goods and services.

County officials said they have no evidence to suggest that other police, city or casino employees were involved. Genaway was placed on paid leave in August after the district attorney’s office served 13 search warrants on City Hall, police headquarters, the chief’s home and other locations.

“It’s been an ongoing investigation, so it was an anticipated event,” said Adelanto Police Sgt. David Bigelow Tuesday. “The department is running smoothly and is in good hands.”

Genaway could not be reached for comment.

A former deputy chief of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Joseph Karr, has been appointed as acting police administrator.

San Bernardino County Deputy Dist. Atty. Brian Saunders, who filed the charges against Genaway, told reporters it “is a very straightforward case.”

The charges include allegations that the chief:

* Embezzled $4,220 from the city for use in undercover drug investigations that authorities say never took place.

* Pocketed $17,700 from the Hi Desert Casino, which contributed funds to the Friends of Adelanto K-9 program, an organization headed by Genaway.

* Pocketed a $5,000 check from the city, drawn up at the request of the mayor despite the protests of city administrators.