CHARLOTTE — Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested department safety specialist Wilson Rivera Espinosa on Thursday on one count of embezzlement following a financial crimes investigation.
Rivera Espinosa, who worked in the department’s Passenger Vehicle for Hire Unit, was placed on administrative leave without pay as formal termination proceedings were initiated, CMPD said.
The criminal investigation began after a Sept. 17 routine supervisory review uncovered inconsistencies in payment receipt documentation submitted within the unit.
CMPD’s Financial Crimes Unit launched a formal criminal probe on Tuesday, culminating in Rivera Espinosa’s arrest two days later.
Following the initial assessment, Rivera Espinosa was reassigned to non-public-facing duties pending the outcome of the inquiry. Department records show he was hired by CMPD on March 3, 2025.
Department officials stated that operations of the Passenger Vehicle for Hire program were never affected by the incident. Police confirmed that no customer was denied or prevented from receiving services.
Police said the criminal investigation remains active and ongoing.
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