Antioch, Pittsburg police under investigation for fraudulent college degrees: report

ANTIOCH, Calif. – The FBI and the Contra Costa District Legal professional are trying into Pittsburg and Antioch law enforcement officials attempting to fraudulently acquire school levels to gather pay bumps, the Bay Space Information Group reported in an unique investigation. 

In March, the 2 companies introduced they have been investigating an unknown variety of officers for “crimes of ethical turpitude,” which may imply virtually any crime involving dishonesty or depravity.

Eight months later, the Bay Space Information Group realized that a few of these officers are being investigated for attempting to defraud metropolis governments by acquiring higher-education levels to extend their salaries. 

A number of regulation enforcement sources advised that information group that officers from Pittsburg and Antioch allegedly recruited a lady to take on-line school programs and move checks of their names. 

Antioch officers obtain a 2.5 % pay enhance for an affiliate’s diploma and 5 % for a bachelor’s, below the police union contract; the present Pittsburg police settlement contains 5 % and 10 % raises for bachelor’s and grasp’s levels, respectively, in addition to tuition reimbursement, the Bay Space Information Group reported.

Throughout this probe, different officers are being investigation for violating civil rights, falsifying reviews, utilizing and distributing steroids, utilizing cocaine, and accepting bribes whereas on patrol.

In a public assertion following the story, Antioch Police Chief Steven Ford mentioned that since this problem was dropped at the division’s consideration, his company has “totally cooperated” with the joint FBI-DA investigation.

“I maintain our officers to a excessive moral commonplace,” Ford wrote. “And we’re taking rapid steps to rebuild belief and enhance transparency with our neighborhood.” 

Indictments are anticipated in about two weeks.