Hazelwood dispatcher gambled away money raised for paralyzed police officer, charges say

CLAYTON • A former Hazelwood dispatcher who helped organize fundraisers for a police officer who was paralyzed in the line of duty was charged Tuesday with stealing some of the money to gamble.

April Briscuso, 40, was arrested in November amid an investigation into whether she pocketed some of the money she helped raise for former Officer Craig Tudor. He was paralyzed from the chest down in a car crash more than a year ago while he was on his way to a call.

Briscuso was charged Tuesday. Her bail has been set at $75,000.

St. Louis County police say between June and September, Briscuso organized several fundraisers for Tudor, and admitted to stealing at least $9,500, according to court documents.

She told investigators she took cash donations to gamble at casinos.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/hazelwood-dispatcher-gambled-away-money-raised-for-paralyzed-police-officer/article_90172398-28fd-570f-a1b5-1af06a688fb9.html