Law Enforcement

SHASTA LAKE, Calif. — On Thursday, a resident of Northern California confessed to orchestrating a fraudulent Ponzi-like scheme and was previously captured in 2020 after attempting an underwater getaway from the FBI in Shasta Lake, according to officials.

Matthew Piercey, aged 48 and hailing from Palo Cedro, accepted charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and witness tampering tied to a $35 million fraudulent investment operation that spanned from July 2015 to August 2020, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.

Piercey’s deceit involved enticing investors through misleading promises made under the names of two investment firms, Family Wealth Legacy and Zolla. He misled them with claims of an “Upvesting Fund,” which he falsely portrayed as an effective “automated algorithmic trading fund,” the attorney’s office disclosed.

Funds from investors were misappropriated by Piercey to repay other investors, while he masked his activities and finances through a chiropractic office in Redding. The scheme accumulated $35 million, of which he returned only $8.8 million, spending the remainder on personal luxuries and operational costs, including two homes and legal fees.

Special Agent in Charge of FBI Sacramento, Sid Patel, noted that some individuals had invested their “life savings” into Piercey’s fraudulent ventures.

Acknowledging the investigation against him, Piercey attempted to dissuade both investors and witnesses from testifying, thereby delaying court proceedings. He illicitly diverted $775,000 from investor funds into his personal bank account.

On November 16, 2020, authorities sought to arrest Piercey, who led them on a vehicular pursuit through nearby streets and a highway. He then abandoned his car and attempted to evade capture by using an “underwater submersible device” to hide in Shasta Lake for approximately 20 minutes before being apprehended.

While detained, Piercey communicated in a coded manner with visitors, instructing them to access a U-Haul storage unit in Redding that he had rented under a false identity. Upon searching the locker, FBI agents discovered a wig and 31,000 Swiss francs, roughly equivalent to $37,000.
Piercey’s sentencing is set for September 4, where he could face a prison term of up to 20 years for each fraud charge, along with fines totaling at least $1 million.

MINNEAPOLIS — For the first time since 2019, the Minneapolis Police Department’s staffing levels are showing signs of recovery after a sharp decline that followed George Floyd’s death in 2020. The number of sworn officers, which had decreased from 920 in March 2019 to a low of 560 by March 2024, has now risen to 588 officers as of mid-May, according to data provided by the department to Axios.

The city charter stipulates a minimum requirement of 713 officers, a benchmark that has not been met since 2021. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara noted that the department is starting to make progress.

Mayor Jacob Frey shared with Axios, “We saw a net positive in staffing last year, and we anticipate a significantly higher net positive this year.”

In 2024, city officials approved a new union contract featuring unprecedented pay increases to aid recruitment efforts. Contributing factors to the staff shortages include an increase in workers’ compensation claims post-2020 and a waning interest in law enforcement careers. Additionally, nearly 25% of the current officers are projected to reach retirement age within three years, according to Chief O’Hara.

Homicide detectives and other personnel have been managing heavy workloads under intensified public scrutiny. Sgt. Andrew Schroeder recounted during a 2024 ridealong, “A veteran cop told me recently, ‘I’m just tired of being seen as the villain.’”

May 25 marks the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s death, a pivotal event that transformed the city’s approach to public safety. On May 21, the U.S. Department of Justice announced plans to seek dismissal of a federal consent decree in Minneapolis. However, the department will continue to operate under a state-level reform agreement.

Chief O’Hara emphasized the ongoing commitment to lasting reform and rebuilding trust within the community. “The members of this police department, like the residents of this community, have endured a tremendous amount of change and trauma, and they understand that changes were necessary,” he said.

NEW YORK — In an event coordinated by the charity Answer The Call, four young family members of FDNY and NYPD heroes took center stage at Citi Field, delivering the ceremonial first pitch before a Mets game. This heartwarming tribute, as reported by the New York Post, included Hannah Cristiano, age 7; Charli Scalf, age 11; and siblings Jackson, age 7, and Stella Abear, age 5, as they honored the memory of their relatives who perished in the line of duty. The occasion marked the 40th anniversary of Answer The Call.

Jackson Abear expressed his excitement to the Post, saying, “It was so exciting to throw out that ball. I really couldn’t sleep last night, I was so excited.” He confidently added that he didn’t need practice to “throw it perfectly to my guy.”

Catherine Abear, reflecting on her late husband, NYPD Detective Raymond Abear, who passed away five years ago due to COVID-19 contracted while assisting crime victims in hospitals during the pandemic, shared the mixed emotions of watching her children participate. She remarked, “It’s bittersweet. It was really emotional and cool at the same time — Ray and I were both big Mets fans, so it’s quite cool to see them on the field. I’m raising them Mets fans!”

Donning a Mets-themed dress and bows, Hannah Cristiano paid homage to her grandfather, FDNY firefighter Tommy Farino, who was among the 343 firefighters who perished on 9/11.

The event was facilitated by Answer The Call, formally known as the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund. Founded in 1985 by Mets icon Rusty Staub, the organization has provided in excess of $180 million in direct aid to more than 1,000 families of deceased first responders. In the current year alone, the charity has allocated over $5.5 million to upwards of 500 families.

The organization ensures each family receives an immediate $50,000 payment within 24 hours following a line-of-duty death, complemented by an annual stipend of $11,000.

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