LOS ANGELES
Two Los Angeles police officers have been charged with insurance and unemployment fraud for allegedly collecting more than $77,000 in benefits while employed full time during the COVID-19 pandemic, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Peter Mastrocinque, 46, and Nicole Ashley Grant, 40, are each charged with one felony count of insurance fraud and one felony count of unemployment insurance fraud in Los Angeles County Superior Court case 26CJCF01618.
Prosecutors allege that between September 2020 and January 2022, both officers filed for unemployment benefits through the California Employment Development Department while actively working as police officers and holding additional employment.
Mastrocinque allegedly received approximately $42,750 in benefits, while Grant is accused of collecting about $34,800.
“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,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “We hold our law enforcement officers to a higher degree of trust because 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.”
If convicted, each faces up to five years in state prison.