Antioch and Pittsburg California Police Departments' College Fraud (2019-2021)

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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]

On June 14, 2023, Mejia-Orozco sent a $9,459 check to the city, hoping to avoid "the perception" of any wrong-doing.[2]

On June 18, 2023, Mejia-Orozco resigned.[2]

On June 28, 2023, Berhan separated from the department.[3]

On August 10, 2023, Berhan sent a $25,000 check to the city, hoping to avoid "the perception" of any wrong-doing.[2]

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.[4]

Officers Involved


References

  1. ↑ 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
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 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
  3. ↑ Nate Gartrell, Exclusive: Impugned East Contra Costa cops allegedly schemed to fake college degrees, San Jose Mercury News, 2023-04-13
  4. ↑ 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