Antioch and Pittsburg California Police Departments' College Fraud (2019-2021)
Overview
From June 2019 to August 2019, Pittsburg California Police Department Officer Patrick Berhan enrolled at a university that offered distance learning that could lead to a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. The agency offered tuition reimbursements and increased pay and/or benefits for officers who completed a degree program.[1]
Berhan paid another person to take multiple classes, submit assignments, and take exams on his behalf. Berhan received a degree, was reimbursed by the agency for their expenses, and received an increase in pay.[1]
Berhan introduced other officers to the scheme, and received payment from the person who did the schoolwork.[1]
From January 2020 to April 2020, Antioch California Police Department Officer Morteza Amiri used the same person to take several classes. Amiri received a degree, was reimbursed by the agency for their expenses, and received an increase in pay.[1]
From May 2020 to June 2020, Pittsburg Officer Amanda Theodosy-Nash used the same person to take several classes. Theodosy received a degree, was reimbursed by the agency for their expenses, and received an increase in pay.[1]
From November 2020 to January 2021, Antioch Officer Samantha Peterson used the same person to take several classes. Peterson received a degree, was reimbursed by the agency for their expenses, and received an increase in pay.[1]
From December 2020 to March 2021, Pittsburg Officer Ernesto Mejia-Orozco used the same person to take several classes. Mejia-Orozco was reimbursed by the agency for their expenses.[1]
In April 2021, Pittsburg Officer Brauli Rodriguez-Jalapa used the same person to take several classes. Jalapa was reimbursed by the agency for their expenses.[1]
The woman who took the tests was a former significant other of one of the officers. She reported the incident to the police.[2]
On June 14, 2023, Mejia-Orozco sent a $9,459 check to the city, hoping to avoid "the perception" of any wrong-doing.[3]
On June 18, 2023, Mejia-Orozco resigned.[3]
On June 28, 2023, Berhan separated from the department.[4]
On August 10, 2023, Berhan sent a $25,000 check to the city, hoping to avoid "the perception" of any wrong-doing.[3]
On August 16, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted the officers for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud. The indictment requires the officers to forfeit any gains received if convicted on either charge.[1] The officers face 20 years in prison for each charge, plus fines.[5]
On August 30, 2023, the state Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) temporarily suspended Theodosy-Nash's certification, citing Criminal Proceedings Pending - Egregious or Repeated Acts that Violate the Law.[6]
On August 31, 2023, the state Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) temporarily suspended Mejia-Orozco's certification, citing Criminal Proceedings Pending - Egregious or Repeated Acts that Violate the Law.[7]
In January 2024, Peterson pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. Peterson faces up to 20 years in prison.[8]
On March 26, 2024, Berhan pleaded guilty as part of a later incident.
On April 23, 2024, Peterson was sentenced to three years of supervised release and 100 hours of community service.[9]
On June 25, 2024, Rodriguez-Jalapa pleaded guilty.[10]
On July 30, 2024, Theodosy-Nash pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud.[11]
On August 9, 2024, a federal jury convicted Amiri of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, both felonies that carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.[10]
Officers Involved
- Morteza Amiri
- Patrick Berhan
- Ernesto Mejia-Orozco
- Samantha Peterson
- Brauli Rodriguez-Jalapa
- Amanda Theodosy-Nash
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Indictment, U.S. District Court, 2023-08-16
- ↑ Nate Gartrell, Feds hit ex-Pittsburg cop with new felony charge in massive police scandal, Mercury News, 2024-03-13
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Nate Gartrell, As FBI degree fraud investigation of Pittsburg cops ramped up, officers paid back tens of thousands to city, San Jose Mercury News, 2023-04-13
- ↑ Nate Gartrell, Exclusive: Impugned East Contra Costa cops allegedly schemed to fake college degrees, San Jose Mercury News, 2023-04-13
- ↑ Antioch And Pittsburg Police Officers And Employee Charged With Various Crimes Ranging From Using Excessive Force To Defrauding Their Employers, U.S. Attorney's Office, 2023-08-18
- ↑ Peace Officer Certification Actions, Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
- ↑ Peace Officer Certification Actions, Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
- ↑ Nate Gartrell, Ex-Antioch community services officer pleads guilty in college degree fraud scandal, Mercury News, 2023-01-11
- ↑ Nate Gartrell, ‘I have let you all down’: Antioch community service officer avoids jail for wire fraud, but judge warns other cops won’t be so lucky, Mercury News, 2024-04-25
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Antioch Police Officer Convicted By Federal Jury Of Conspiracy And Wire Fraud, U.S. Attorney's Office, 2024-08-09
- ↑ Nate Gartrell, Days before trial, ex-Pittsburg cop pleads guilty to fraud, Mercury News, 2024-07-31
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