Gay Ex-SF Cop Denies Embezzlement

A gay former San Francisco police officer pleaded not guilty this week to felony charges of grand theft and embezzlement.

Mike Evans, 34, allegedly stole more than $16,000 from the LGBT police officers Pride Alliance when he was the group's treasurer.

Just before his superior court hearing Tuesday, October 6 before Judge Harry Dorfman, Evans said, "I'm not making any comments. You can talk to my attorney," John Campion.

After Tuesday's brief hearing, Campion said he'd just received evidence in the case, so he couldn't say how much money Evans had allegedly taken.

The alliance's secretary has said that Evans has paid back the money.

Asked about how much money had been paid back, Max Szabo, a spokesman for the district attorney's office, said, "I can't get into any information that may or may not be in the warrant," which is still sealed.

Information from the Pride Alliance indicates the allegations came up at an October 2014 board meeting. Police Chief Greg Suhr has said Evans resigned from the department "late last year."

Evans was booked into custody Thursday, October 1 and released on $15,000 bail shortly thereafter.

Campion declined to comment on whether Evans, who was extradited from Texas, would be staying in San Francisco.

Retired gay police Lieutenant Chuck Limbert allegedly tried to block complaints about Evans when Limbert was the alliance's president. There's no word yet on whether Limbert, who denied the allegations, will also face charges. In a text message to the Bay Area Reporter last week, Limbert declined to comment on whether he's being investigated.

Officer Albie Esparza, a police spokesman, said last week that Suhr has "made it very clear" that "no one is above the law. ... If officers break the law, it's no different than anyone else, and the department takes that seriously."

Evans' next court date is December 3 for a pre-hearing conference.

Assistant District Attorney Mike Sullivan is the prosecutor who appeared on the case Tuesday.