Ventura County prosecutors say a police officer pled no contest to a fraud charge related to a traffic accident.
Prosecutors say Matthew Arthur Alonzo told an insurance adjuster that he witnessed a traffic accident in Ventura, and didn’t know either of the parties. But, they say the 40 year old Santa Paula police officer actually knew one of the drivers. It was a driver who had been a fellow Santa Paula police officer.
The insurance company initially decided the driver it represented was at fault. But, the company investigated further, and then ruled the former officer was responsible for the collision.
Prosecutors say as a result of the no contest plea to the insurance fraud charge, Alonzo potentially faces up to five years in jail when he’s sentenced.
