Two Los Angeles Police Department officers have been charged with felony insurance fraud for allegedly collecting more than $77,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work full time, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced Thursday.
Peter Mastrocinque, born March 20, 1979, and Nicole Ashley Grant, born March 31, 1985, each face one count of insurance fraud and one count of unemployment insurance fraud, according to the District Attorney’s office. The charges stem from claims filed between September 2020 and January 2022, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At the height of the pandemic when so many people needed assistance, there were some accused of exploiting the system that was meant to help those in real need,” Hochman said in a statement. “We hold our law enforcement officers to a higher degree of trust as they are sworn to serve and protect us. Collecting unemployment while working full time is selfish, greedy and most of all, unlawful, and this kind of conduct will be fully prosecuted.”
Authorities allege Mastrocinque fraudulently obtained approximately $42,750 in unemployment benefits from the California Employment Development Department, while Grant is accused of collecting around $34,800. The case, designated 26CJCF01618, is being prosecuted by Jeffrey Stodel of the Justice System Integrity Division.
The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Auditor Controller’s Office are continuing to investigate the matter. Arraignment for both officers is scheduled for tomorrow in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
If convicted on both counts, Mastrocinque and Grant each face a potential prison sentence of up to five years, according to the District Attorney’s office.
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