He was placed on paid administrative leave at the onset of this investigation last month, but was separated from the agency at the time of his arrest today.
“I credit the personnel of this agency with proactively identifying this issue and immediately bringing it to my attention,” Sheriff Shoar told Historic City News. “Despite many of the false narratives being advanced today, there is no profession that holds its members accountable to the extent that we do in law enforcement. This case is another example in support of that belief.”
Suspicions at the department were raised when Tolerico made a claim for widow’s benefits after the September 24th death of his wife, 45-year-old Natalie E. Tolerico. In processing the claim, it was discovered that the couple had been legally divorced on August 24, 2011, according to the records of Judge Wolfe obtained from the Clerk of Court.
Tolerico was born December 3, 1969. He lived in Ponte Vedra Beach. As a law enforcement deputy, he earned $56,567.06 annually. Long after his divorce was final, Tolerico continued to falsify his marital status; resulting in medical and pharmacy payments for his former spouse in excess of $60,000. He is charged with grand theft.
When Sheriff’s Office personnel contacted the county’s insurance provider, they learned that an additional $600,000 in bills have been received on Tolerico’s policy. Payment of the claims has been suspended.
“Unfortunately, during my fifteen years as a Law Enforcement Executive, this is not the first time that I have had to arrest one of my own employees,” Shoar remarked.
When questioned by detectives, Tolerico invoked his constitutional rights and did not make a statement concerning this investigation.
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