Cleveland police car

A Cleveland police officer is accused of misusing the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway database.

(File photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland police officer is charged in a 53-count indictment that accuses him of illegally using the statewide police database to benefit a private security company that he runs while off-duty.

Theodore Perez, 44, faces dozens of charges of grand theft, tax fraud, operating a business without a license and 21 counts of unauthorized use of the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway database.

His sister, Melissa Perez, 42, is also charged with 11 counts of illegally accessing the database between June 2013 and June 2016. Both are scheduled for arraignment on Dec. 7.

Perez was initially charged after a Cleveland police internal investigation with failing to pay $113,000 in sales taxes for his security business, Precision Security Agency, LLC.

The business, located in the 12700 block of Triskett Road, provides armed and unarmed security guards and teaches concealed weapons carrying courses.

Prosecutors said the investigation also showed he continued operating his business after his vender's license was suspended.

Both Theodore and Melissa Perez repeatedly accessed OHLEG to conduct unauthorized background checks from the company, prosecutors said.

Perez is suspended without pay until the case is resolved, which is department policy for officers charged with a felony.

Defense attorney Henry Hilow and Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association president Steve Loomis said in August that Theodore Perez, a 20-year veteran of the police department, has an excellent reputation as an officer.

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