(Stamford Police Dept)
A former Connecticut police officer has denied charges stemming from allegedly vacationing in Hawaii instead of reporting for training with the U.S. Army reserves.
The Stamford Advocate reports that Donald Chen pleaded not guilty Monday to felony larceny in Stamford criminal court.
Chen was granted two weeks of paid leave from Dec. 1-15 by the Stamford Police Department so he could report for training with his U.S. Army Reserves unit.
Prosecutors say instead of reporting for duty, Chen took a vacation with his girlfriend.
After Chen's commanding officer notified police of his absence, a missing person investigation was launched. In response, Chen allegedly contacted the department and concocted a lie surrounding his "sick" father.
Confronted about the lie, police say Chen acknowledged the truth.
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