ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, September 13, 1996             TAG: 9609130118
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER

POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF FORGERY

A town police officer is on paid leave pending the outcome of allegations that she forged an acquaintance's name on a cellular phone account and left more than $200 of bills unpaid, authorities said.

Officer Connie Bishop, 33, of Christiansburg was charged with forgery - a felony that carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison. John Flynn of Christiansburg obtained the warrant for the charge from a Radford magistrate, according to police.

Blacksburg police investigated after Flynn filed a complaint July 16. The case falls under Blacksburg's jurisdiction because the account was opened in September 1994 at GTE Mobilnet, according to court records. The company's local office was located in Blacksburg then but has since moved to Christiansburg.

Lt. Bruce Bradbery said the account was opened in Bishop's name with Flynn's name as a co-signer. On the warrant, Flynn alleged his signature was forged.

Flynn also said he became aware of the account when the cellular phone company tried to collect unpaid bills in late 1995. Police could not say why Flynn waited until July to file a complaint.

Bradbery said the unpaid amount is $251.75 plus $75.51 for collection costs. He said the bills were sent to Bishop's address and never paid.

Lt. Gary Brumfield of the Christiansburg police said his department's only comment about the case is that Bishop, a patrol officer with four years experience, "is on paid leave."

Montgomery County Commonwealth's Attorney Phil Keith said he would not discuss the details of the case because he will not prosecute it.

Keith said the Circuit Court will assign a special prosecutor once Bishop hires her own lawyer. Keith said he would not take the case because of the Christiansburg Police Department's close proximity and the work he does with that office.

He referred all questions to the Blacksburg police. Chief Bill Brown said the fact that Bishop is a police officer did not affect his department's investigation. "The person's occupation has no bearing on this investigation," he said.

A court date has not been set. Bishop was released on a personal recognizance bond of $500.

LENGTH: Short :   50 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  (headshot) Bishop. color.