October 7, 2004
A judge today sentenced a retired Mesa police lieutenant to 18 months’ probation and 50 hours of community service for a theft conviction.
Randy Lineberger's attorney argued in Maricopa County Superior Court that his client had been treated more harshly than other first-time offenders and that he had already paid enough in lost income from having retired early. Judge Michael Wilkinson said Lineberger had been treated the way he was because he should have known better.
"You kept money you know you weren't entitled to," Wilkinson said. Lineberger admitted keeping insurance proceeds for items he originally believed had been stolen, but later discovered hadn't been, after a 1990 burglary of his Chandler home. Lineberger retired Aug. 31 after 19 years with the Mesa Police Department. He had worked at other police departments before joining Mesa.
