Officer faces judge for perjury charge

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - A police officer arrested Monday for discrepancies in his testimony during a DUI case faced a judge for the first time Tuesday.

Scott Mounger, 49, was arrested on charges of perjury and falsely summoning or giving false reports to law enforcement officials.

Lou Thurston with the Newport News Police Department said last November, the department had been notified of "significant discrepancies" in Mounger's testimony during a Driving Under the Influence case in Newport News General District Traffic Court.

Court records showed Mounger's Nov. 13 testimony was in relation to an Aug. 9 DUI arrest.

Thurston said a criminal investigation of alleged perjury by Mounger immediately followed and he was placed on leave without pay when the investigation began.

"People's lives depend on officers being truthful, having integrity and doing the right thing," Thurston said.

Thurston said a monetary exchange could have been Mounger's motivation to lie on the stand, but details are unknown.

Mounger is being represented by Robert W. Lawrence, who has represented DUI clients arrested by Mounger in the past.

"I was shocked because he had a stellar reputation," Lawrence said. "I know the police officers on the department feel the same way. Since [Monday], I've probably had 22 officers call saying, 'You need anything, let us know. We back him 100 percent.'"

Mounger has a precinct record in 2006 for 27 DUI arrests and a Newport News record in 2007 for 60 DUI arrests.

Valerie Muth with the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office told WAVY.com Mounger's track record of DUI arrests and testimonies will not be investigated by them.

"If a citizen came forward ... that's certainly something that we would listen to and investigate further, if it was warranted," Muth said.

Lawrence told 10 On Your Side the case will take between two and three months to prepare for trial, but has already taken its toll on Mounger.

"He's retired military, he's very proud," Lawrence said. "He's a very dedicated individual and to have this hit him and his wife and his family is devastating."

Mounger is due back in court in April.