Public Record Investigations
Every claim backed by documents.
We're systematically reviewing every CHP area office in California — 101 offices across 8 divisions. Each investigation is built on CPRA requests, state audits, court records, and official press releases.
Office coverage1 / 101 started
PUBLISHEDIN PROGRESSCPRA FILEDRESEARCHNOT STARTED
Published Findings & Active Cases
Sourced from audits, court records, AG press releases, and investigative reporting.
PUBLISHED#chp-east-la-overtime
East LA Station Overtime Fraud Scheme
A multiyear overtime fraud operation at CHP's East Los Angeles station resulted in 302 felony counts against 54 officers — then a judge dismissed charges against 48 of them.
Between 2016 and 2018, officers allegedly inflated overtime hours on work-zone enforcement details, submitting false claims totaling $226,556.
The California Attorney General announced charges in 2022: 302 counts including grand theft and fraudulent claims against 54 officers.
A judge later dismissed felony fraud and wage-theft charges against 48 of the 54 officers, effectively ending the majority of prosecutions.
The accountability gap — documented fraud, filed charges, mass dismissal — is itself a finding worth investigating.
Timeline
2016–2018
Alleged overtime fraud at East LA station
2022
AG announces 302 counts against 54 officers
Later
Judge dismisses charges against 48 officers
Sources
· California Attorney General press release (2022)
· Court records — felony dismissal rulings
PUBLISHED#chp-payroll-audit
State Controller Payroll Audit — $4.2M in Questioned Payments
California's own auditor found material weaknesses in CHP payroll controls, contributing to $4.2 million in improper or questioned payments.
$4,235,160
Improper/questioned
Material weakness
Severity
The State Controller's Office audited CHP payroll (2015–2018) and found material weaknesses in internal controls.
Findings included: no documented supervisory review of payroll transactions, improper system access, and improper/questioned payments.
Total estimated cost: $4,235,160 including leave advances and payroll irregularities.
Sources
· California State Controller's Office — CHP Payroll Audit
PUBLISHED#chp-evidence-room-theft
CHP HQ Evidence Room — 64kg Cocaine Theft
An on-duty CHP employee broke into the HQ evidence room and stole 64kg of cocaine. Pled guilty, sentenced to 5 years 8 months.
In 2007–2008, an on-duty CHP employee broke into the evidence room at headquarters.
64 kilograms of cocaine were stolen and concealed at multiple locations.
The officer pled guilty to multiple felonies and was sentenced to 5 years and 8 months in state prison.
Sources
· Orange County District Attorney's Office press release
PUBLISHED#chp-perjury-citations
Traffic Citation Perjury — 50+ Questionable Citations
Internal affairs found inconsistencies in 50+ of ~100 citations from one officer. Evidence called 'overwhelming' — officer received diversion.
CHP internal affairs investigated a single officer's 2023 citation activity.
Over 50 of approximately 100 citations reviewed contained inconsistencies.
Prosecutors called the evidence 'overwhelming,' yet the case did not go to trial — the officer entered a diversion program.
Sources
· Investigative reporting (2026) citing CHP IA findings
All CHP Area Offices
101 offices across 8divisions. We plan to investigate every single one. Pick any office to see what we've found — or what's coming.
Northern DivisionHQ: Redding
0/15 startedCrescent City
Crescent City
Valley DivisionHQ: Sacramento
0/16 startedSouth Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe
North Sacramento
Sacramento
South Sacramento
Sacramento
Golden Gate DivisionHQ: Vallejo
0/11 startedSan Francisco
San Francisco
Central DivisionHQ: Fresno
0/15 startedSouthern DivisionHQ: Glendale
1/10 startedSouth Los Angeles
Torrance
East Los Angeles
Monterey Park
Subject of the 2022 overtime fraud prosecution (54 officers, 302 counts).
Santa Fe Springs
Santa Fe Springs
West Los Angeles
Culver City
West Valley
Woodland Hills
Central Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Border DivisionHQ: San Diego
0/12 startedSan Gorgonio Pass
Beaumont
Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano
Coastal DivisionHQ: San Luis Obispo
0/11 startedSan Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo
Inland DivisionHQ: San Bernardino
0/11 startedRancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga
San Bernardino
San Bernardino