Investigation that Led to Arrest of Two Police Officers Still Continues

By Jorge Casuso

Fraud charges filed last Thursday against two Santa Monica police officers were the result of an ongoing investigation that could result in more arrests, according to an interdepartmental memo sent by the police chief Wednesday night.

"There are other long-term investigations concerning potential fraudulent application for Workers Compensation benefits by other members of the Department that continue," Police Chief James T. Butts Jr. wrote. "We are assessing the evidence that has been collected in these additional cases.

"If such evidence will support a criminal filing, additional filings will be applied for with the Los Angeles County DA's Office," Butts wrote. "This activity will not be sanctioned or tolerated by the Department or the City."

The memo was sent after the arrest last Friday of Officer Gabriel Suarez; his wife, Cheryl Suarez, and Officer Jason Comer. On Thursday, the District Attorneys Office charged the three defendants with multiple counts of workers compensation fraud, money laundering and grand theft stemming from a months-long internal investigation.

Although the specifics of the case have not been released, Butts' memo refers to "individuals that make false application for benefits while feigning total disability."

According to Butts' statement, these individuals "do more than defraud the State of California insurance fund.

"They defraud the citizens of Santa Monica of vital police protective services while simultaneously forcing co-workers to work with less than optimal staffing," Butts wrote. "This can result in forced shift coverage for other officers, excess overtime and officer fatigue."

City Manager Susan McCarthy said it is important to send a clear message that the City will not tolerate fraud of any kind.

"In general you want employees to know as soon as possible that we're serious about pursuing and investigating and if you're caught, you'll pay the consequences," McCarthy said.

"I think of it (workers compensation fraud) as being as down and dirty as Medicaid fraud," McCarthy said.

As for the ongoing investigation McCarthy said, "All I know is that it's not over yet, and a lot of it depends on where the DA goes."