Siler City Police Department worker accused of defrauding domestic violence victims

SILER CITY, N.C. (WTVD) -- An employee of the Siler City Police Department was arrested after an investigation, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) said Wednesday.

The SBI said it was called in by Police Chief Brian Regan on July 22 to investigate allegations that an employee was obtaining property by false pretenses.

During the investigation, other people came forward and reported that they had been defrauded as well.

Gloria Maldonado, 57, a domestic violence advocate with the police department, was arrested.

Maldonado, of Siler City, is accused of defrauding the victims that she was supposed to be helping. The domestic violence advocate is supposed to help victims of domestic violence navigate the judicial system.

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According to a warrant, she was accused of defrauding two clients out of a total of $6,400 that the people thought were going to U-Visa applications, which are temporary visas for victims of certain crimes who have suffered abuse.

The SBI said it believes there are additional victims of these crimes. If you or someone you know has been working with Moldonado and has paid her to assist in any legal documentation, including U-Visas, you are please email the SBI.

Maldonado was charged with two counts of felony obtaining property under false pretenses.

She was released on a written promise to appear in court on Sept. 22. According to Siler City PD, she has been with the department since February 2015.

ABC11 reached out to Maldonado at her home address but was not able to contact her for comment. An attempt to reach the victims in the case was also unsuccessful.

The police chief and the SBI declined requests for comment from ABC11, citing the ongoing investigation.

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