A QR code doomed the vocation of a Bronx NYPD officer accused of faking a COVID diagnosis so he could extend a loved ones family vacation, the Each day News has figured out.
On a trip to the Dominican Republic in September 2022, Officer Edward Nunez-Nunez’s wife came down with COVID, claims a a short while ago-unveiled departmental demo decision.
Nunez-Nunez, a seven-yr NYPD veteran who was assigned to the Bronx, claimed he endured COVID indications as well, and sought treatment at the same professional medical clinic that addressed his partner. But the clinic staff never gave him a COVID take a look at, NYPD paperwork say.
When Nunez-Nunez called the NYPD to report he experienced COVID and wanted to go on ill go away, the office reported it wanted a constructive COVID check final result, in accordance to interior court docket paperwork.
Nunez-Nunez went again to the clinic, in which a staffer gave him a piece of paper indicating he experienced tested beneficial, the paperwork said.
But the take a look at final result was for for another person else, the QR code on the document discovered.
“Anyone who ran their cellphone above the QR code could know that the examination belonged to an individual else,” stated an NYPD supply with expertise of the circumstance.
When the bogus exam was discovered, the Police Section billed Nunez-Nunez with prison possession of a solid instrument. He was also charged with building fake and deceptive statements when he was questioned by the Internal Affairs Bureau in excess of the matter.
Nunez-Nunez at first insisted the take a look at success have been his — but he eventually confessed that a COVID examination was under no circumstances taken, say paperwork. He taken care of that he did have COVID and the clinic agreed with him due to the fact his wife had tested positive.
Nunez-Nunez mentioned he had asked the clinic for a doctor’s be aware expressing he had been treated there — but was given the fake constructive test report as a substitute.
“I should really have stated the reality,” Nunez-Nunez admitted at a listening to on the departmental costs, according to NYPD trial area courtroom papers.
“I just wished to expend more time with the relatives. You know, I under no circumstances experienced a family members holiday vacation — it was no destructive intent. I really should have stated the suitable thing.”
Nunez-Nunez pleaded responsible to the departmental charges and submitted himself to the mercy of a division tribunal.
Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Trials Vanessa Facio-Lince in April encouraged that Nunez-Nunez be put on dismissal probation, meaning he could preserve his position, but be fired if he violated any a lot more NYPD guidelines and procedures within the subsequent 12 months.
Law enforcement Commissioner Edward Caban disagreed with the obtaining and purchased Nunez-Nunez’s termination.
Nunez-Nunez had now still left the section by the time Caban’s orders arrived through in Oct. He declined to remark when arrived at by the Everyday News Friday.