Tukwila officer indicted on bankruptcy fraud charges

By Michael Ko
Seattle Times staff reporter

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Corinne Purucker, 43, is scheduled to appear Thursday at the federal court in Denver. Purucker, who lives in Maple Valley, was hired by the Tukwila Police Department in December 2003.

According to the indictment, Purucker used her roommate to hide ownership of a $32,700 Jeep Grand Cherokee from a bankruptcy court.

In November 2001, Purucker's parents sent $30,000 to the roommate, who purchased the Jeep with the money, the indictment says. The Jeep was registered to the roommate, but Purucker had full use of the vehicle, according to the indictment.

In December 2001, Purucker filed for bankruptcy relief. She did not mention the Jeep or the money her parents had sent, the indictment says.

In June 2002, her debts were dismissed and the bankruptcy case was closed.

In October 2002, the roommate transferred ownership of the Jeep to Purucker, according to the indictment.

In November 2003, the bankruptcy court reopened Purucker's case. Purucker continued to "conceal or deny her purchase and ownership of the Jeep," according to the indictment.

A grand jury indicted Purucker June 23 on two counts of bankruptcy fraud and two counts of fraudulent transfer of assets in contemplation of bankruptcy. Each count carries a penalty of five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.

Tukwila Police Chief Keith Haines said Purucker is on paid administrative leave, but he said he plans to retain her to work on administrative projects.

Haines said, after speaking to Purucker, "I have a reasonable doubt that she committed the crime. ... The Corinne Purucker I know is hardworking, dedicated, a fine police officer of high integrity."
 
Purucker worked in Breckenridge from February 2000 to May 2003. She left for reasons unrelated to the indictment, said Crystal Dean, spokeswoman for the Breckenridge Police Department.

Purucker is the officer who, in late April, was knocked unconscious during a fight with a man who allegedly ran from a barber shop near Southcenter Mall without paying.

The man, Peter Wezeman, allegedly grabbed Purucker's flashlight from her belt and hit her in the head with it.

Wezeman was charged with two counts of second-degree assault. His trial is scheduled for September.

Michael Ko: 206-515-5653 or mko@seattletimes.com