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Deputy Director Of Crime Lab Resigns, Accused Of Altering Crime Scene Reports

By Brian Maass

DENVER (CBS4) - The deputy director of the Denver Crime Lab, Walter Greene, has resigned in the face of a wide ranging internal investigation that found numerous ethical and procedural violations.

The resignation follows an eight-month paid suspension. An internal investigation into the conduct of Greene showed four employees said Greene told them, "We're not hiring any more women, they bicker too much," women are "too much drama," women are "emotional" or "petty."

According to the investigation, eight employees said Greene told them not to go to Human Resources "because they're (expletive) idiots."

Walter Greene
Walter Greene (credit: CBS)

Greene was placed on investigatory leave last June 22. He was one of the top three administrators of the Denver crime lab. Greene was formerly a sergeant with the Denver Police Department.

Following the probe, Greene was offered a demotion from his $124,891 a year job to a photo enforcement agent position which pays $57,940 per year. Greene declined the demotion and quit earlier this month.

The investigation also said seven employees claimed Greene "altered their crime scene reports, sometimes without their knowledge and with terms they would not use."

Several of the employees told investigators they complained to Greene about the process but Greene insisted on keeping the changes. One employee who refused to change her reports said Greene reportedly labeled her as "insubordinate." The investigation said Greene admitted changing crime scene reports "because you (Greene) worked for the DPD for years and know how reports should be handled."

Denver Crime Laboratory
(credit: CBS)

Among the litany of wrongdoing the city accuses Greene of, they also say he engaged in favoritism and unethical conduct by directing employees to meet with certain job applicants and provide them tips and coach them on how to prepare for job testing and interviews.

Investigators say Greene initially denied directing employees to coach or prep applicants for crime lab interviews. But later in an interview, Greene admitted directing employees to help specific job applicants saying he "did not see anything wrong with directing an employee to meet with an applicant to assist with the interview process."

Employees interviewed for the investigation described the crime lab workplace as "hostile, toxic, abusive, and, at a minimum, uncomfortable."

Three employees are quoted in the investigation as saying Greene directed them, while on duty, to pick him up from an Arvada car dealership and drive him home. Three employees also said Greene had directed them -- while on duty -- to take his wife home during snowstorms.

In the 17-page disciplinary letter, Denver Police Department Deputy Chief David Quinones wrote that "Your performance consistently fails to meet the standard of a deputy director in the City of Denver."

Tuesday evening, Greene's attorney, Whitney Traylor, released the following statement to CBS4:

Our client, Walter Greene, is supremely disappointed in the unfortunate way he has been treated by the City and County of Denver and the negative media reports based on information provided exclusively by the City. Mr. Greene served Denver and its citizens honorably for over 25 years, both as a police officer and a civilian employee. During that time, he never once received any discipline.

Notwithstanding his exemplary service, our client has recently received unfair and misleading publicity based on inaccurate allegations made against him by the City. The City's investigation of the allegations was grossly mishandled, resulting in Mr. Greene remaining on paid administrative leave for over seven months, despite the City's own policies requiring the investigation be completed in 45 days. Mr. Greene denies the allegations made against him and provided the City with a 16-page rebuttal addressing each allegation.

However, it was obvious that the City intended to remove Mr. Greene from his position, with or without supporting evidence. In light of the incredible delay and skewed publicity, the City stigmatized our client in a way that prevented him from remaining employed and achieving any future success within the City. He was left with no option but to reject the discipline and demotion, regrettably end his successful career, and pursue opportunities in the private sector.

Despite the procedural and substantive errors related to the City's unlawful investigation, this is not the appropriate forum to address this matter, and our client will not comment on the specific allegations related to his separation of employment at this time. He desires justice and looks forward to the opportunity to address these issues in the appropriate forum and at the appropriate time.

LINK: Notice Of Contemplation Of Discipline (WARNING: Contains offensive language)

CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass has been with the station more than 30 years uncovering waste, fraud and corruption. Follow him on Twitter @Briancbs4.

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