LAPD officers accused of collecting unemployment benefits while still working
Prosecutors have filed felony charges against two Los Angeles police officers who are accused of collecting tens of thousands of dollars in unemployment benefits during the pandemic while still working.
Peter Mastrocinque, 47, and Nicole Ashley Grant, 40, both face charges of insurance fraud and unemployment insurance fraud.
According to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, Mastrocinque and Grant filed claims for unemployment benefits despite working full-time as LAPD officers and taking other jobs between September 2020 and January 2022.
Mastrocinque collected approximately $42,750 in assistance while Grant collected $34,800, prosecutors said.
“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,” said DA Nathan Hochman. “Collecting unemployment while working full time is selfish, greedy and most of all, unlawful, and this kind of conduct will be fully prosecuted.”
Mastrocinque and Grant face up to five years in state prison if convicted as charged. The arraignment was scheduled for Friday.
Both officers have been placed on administrative leave, LAPD said.
“We hold our law enforcement officers to a higher degree of trust because they are sworn to serve and protect us,” Hochman said.
California distributed more than $100 billion in unemployment benefits during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. An audit found that roughly 10% of the claims were later determined to be fraudulent.
