Three sheriff's deputies and another employee of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department were relieved of duty after being implicated in possible crimes involving vehicle towing, the department disclosed Monday.
In December, evidence was brought to the department that the employees either stole from towed vehicles or took cash from the owners of vehicles who wanted to avoid having their cars towed, the department said in a statement.
At the end of the internal investigation, the department will determine whether to seek the filing of criminal charges by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, according to Nicole Nishida, a sheriff's department spokeswoman.
Investigators believe the three deputies and a parking control officer were acting independently. There is no evidence that other personnel were involved, Nishida said.
Last week, the four employees were sent home, but for now will continue to receive their pay until the department finishes its investigation and makes a decision on disciplinary action.
Newly elected Sheriff Jim McDonnell said the department acted "swiftly and resolutely" to look into the incidents, which took place before he took office.
Later years in the tenure of previously elected Sheriff Lee Baca had been marked by federal investigations of misconduct in the operation of the county jails and in field work. In running for sheriff, McDonnell had spoken of the need to restore trust and public confidence.
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"As a law enforcement organization, it is imperative that we earn the public’s trust each day," McDonnell said in the statement.
