Law Enforcement

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a coalition of 22 attorneys general, filed a brief today in the United States Supreme Court in support of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) federal regulation that bans bump-stock devices and classifies them as prohibited machine guns under the National Firearms Act. In the case of Garland v. Cargill, the district court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit panel agreed with ATF that a federal statute prohibiting machine-guns fairly encompasses bump stocks, but the en banc court reversed. The Supreme Court granted certiorari on November 3.

“It is very clear that bump stocks  readily convert semiautomatic firearms into machine guns, making them illegal under federal law,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The federal government has long regulated automatic weapons and federal laws that apply on a nationwide basis serve as an important complement to State firearms laws that protect our residents and communities from gun violence. The bump stock regulation fits squarely within the text of the federal law banning machine guns, and a centuries-long effort to keep automatic weapons off the streets and out of California.”

In 2017, a gunman opened fire at a music festival in Las Vegas using semi-automatic rifles equipped with bump-stock devices, killing 60 people and wounding 500 more. In the wake of the shooting, ATF issued its final rule concluding that bump stocks qualify as machine guns under a federal statute that prohibits machine guns. Bump stocks are an accessory that can be added to a semiautomatic long gun and enable users to mimic automatic fire by pulling their trigger finger just once to maintain a stream of gunfire. 

Machine guns became commercially available to civilians in the 1920s and their ability to rapidly fire multiple rounds with a single trigger pull provoked regulatory scrutiny. States and the federal government promptly responded by restricting machine guns. In the 1980s, Congress responded decisively, passing legislation to make clear that any device designed to simulate fully automatic fire is a machine gun that is prohibited under federal law.

The brief argues that the ban of bump stocks is consistent with the text of the federal statute prohibiting machine guns, as well as a long history of federal and state laws restricting machine guns. The brief argues that the federal regulation banning bump stocks vindicates the purposes of federal firearms law by complementing state efforts to regulate dangerous weapons, by supporting the states that have already banned them, and by filling in the gaps of state-by-state regulations.

Attorney General Bonta stands with partners throughout the state and nationally to continue tackling the issue of gun violence strategically and aggressively by:

• Defending California’s commonsense gun laws, including its assault weapons ban and restrictions on large-capacity magazines.
• Educating the public on gun violence prevention through the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, including through the first-ever data report issued by the office to provide a robust review of gun violence data in California and throughout the U.S. and to help guide policy and strategy discussions related to reducing gun violence.
• Advocating for gun laws including by sponsoring Assembly Bill 1594 to increase accountability for the firearm industry, working to strengthen federal laws to protect the public from ghost guns, and successfully defending California’s laws to prevent gun violence.
• Seizing guns from prohibited persons in the Armed and Prohibited Persons System, and through multiagency sweeps in the Bay Area and Los Angeles County, conducting operations targeting individuals attempting to illegally purchase guns, and collaborating with local law enforcement partners.
• Ending the sale of illegal firearms through litigation against ghost gun retailers, and by putting a stop to the sale of illegal assault weapons in Orange County.
• Upholding commonsense age restrictions on firearms both in California and nationally. 

Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia in filing the brief.

A copy of the brief can be found here.

 Suspect fled the country after stealing millions of dollars from the California Recycling Fund

LOS ANGELES – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the arrest of the head of a large-scale, multistate recycling fraud ring who stole approximately $4.3 million from the California Recycling Fund. On December 9, 2023, California Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Recycle Fraud Team worked with the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Phoenix Police Department to arrest the suspect who had fled the United States and was considered a fugitive since March 2022. 

“Let this be a strong warning to anyone seeking to steal from California citizens: We will find you, and we will hold you accountable,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Fraudulent criminal activity, such as the schemes orchestrated by this individual and others, results in the annual loss of millions of dollars from the California Recycling Fund and negatively impacts our economy. I am thankful to our local and federal law enforcement partners for their work in this investigation.” 

DOJ’s investigative team discovered that the ringleader would control the gathering of empty beverage containers from out of state and then work with accomplices to bring them into California to collect money from the California Recycling Fund. On March 16, 2022, the suspect was charged in Los Angeles County Superior Court with Grand Theft (PC 487), Conspiracy PC 182, and illegal importation of out of state empty beverage containers PRC 14591(b)(1)(F) and a warrant was issued for their arrest.   

The suspect then fled the United States, however DOJ continued to track their location and learned they would be returning to Arizona in December 2023. DOJ agents worked with Arizona and federal law enforcement partners, resulting in the arrest of the ringleader by CBP at the Phoenix International Airport. The suspect was booked into a Phoenix Police Department jail and awaits extradition to California for prosecution by DOJ’s Special Prosecutions Section.

The objective of the Recycle Fraud Program is to detect and stop existing fraud by organized criminal groups against the California Redemption Value fund and to deter future fraud through the successful prosecution of criminal activity. The Recycle Fraud Team is part of DOJ’s Division of Law Enforcement’s Bureau of Investigation. Special Agents work throughout California and in neighboring states, investigating organizations that commit large scale fraud against California’s extremely important recycling program. Fraud committed against the people of California comes in many forms and criminal elements have no boundaries when it comes to profiting. Together with CalRecycle, the program has been responsible for the arrest and prosecution of individuals committing fraud against the CRV fund and for the seizure of tons of material that was destined to be illegally redeemed for payment by the State of California.

SAN DIEGO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California denied a preliminary injunction motion in Chavez v. Bonta, a lawsuit challenging the law prohibiting licensed firearms dealers from selling, supplying, delivering, or giving possession or control of certain long guns and semiautomatic centerfire rifles to 18- to 20-year-olds.  

“We applaud the court’s decision and believe it is an important step forward in the fight against gun violence,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We will continue to lead efforts to defend California’s commonsense gun-safety laws. As we move forward on the merits in this case, Californians should know that licensed firearms dealers are still prohibited from selling, supplying, delivering or giving possession or control of certain long guns and semiautomatic centerfire rifles to 18- to 20-year-olds.” 

Attorney General Bonta stands with partners throughout the state to continue tackling the issue of gun violence strategically and aggressively by:

• Defending California's commonsense gun-safety laws, including cases involving California's restrictions on large-capacity magazines and assault weapons.  
• Educating the public on gun violence prevention through the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, including through the first-ever data report issued by the office to provide a robust review of gun violence data in California and throughout the U.S. and to help guide policy and strategy discussions related to reducing gun violence.
• Advocating for gun laws including by sponsoring Assembly Bill 1594 to increase accountability for the firearm industry, working to strengthen federal laws to protect the public from ghost guns, and successfully defending California’s laws to prevent gun violence.
• Seizing guns from prohibited persons in the Armed and Prohibited Persons System, and through multiagency sweeps in the Bay Area and Los Angeles County, conducting operations targeting individuals attempting to illegally purchase guns, and collaborating with local law enforcement partners.
• Ending the sale of illegal firearms through litigation against ghost gun retailers, and by putting a stop to the sale of illegal assault weapons in Orange County.

A copy of the decision can be found here.

Attorney General Bonta joins coalition of 21 attorneys general backing ATF rule to limit unlicensed gun sales 

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a coalition of 21 attorneys general, submitted a comment letter in support of a proposed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) rule that would ensure more firearms sales are subject to background checks and reduce illegal firearms trafficking. Following the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the ATF has proposed a new regulation to clarify what it means for a person to be “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms, and therefore required to obtain a license and run background checks when selling firearms. The proposed rule would close loopholes that allowed the unlicensed sale of firearms, including online and at gun shows. 

 “The suggested regulation represents a significant step forward in our fight against gun violence by regulating profit-oriented dealers engaged in firearm sales, ensuring that they are accountable for obtaining licenses, undergoing background checks, maintaining records, and meeting other obligations,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Unregulated firearms transactions increase the likelihood that individuals who are prohibited from legally acquiring guns will obtain them, posing a threat to communities and contributing to the prevalence of gun-related violence." 

 The ATF’s proposed rule will crack down on unlicensed, profit-oriented firearms sellers and reduce the number of firearms sold without a background check by ensuring more individuals who sell firearms are subject to federal licensing and background check requirements. Vendors operating at gun shows and online would be subject to the regulation in more instances, reducing opportunities for firearms sales without background checks. The new regulations will also help local and state law enforcement officials track firearms sales and provide them with more tools to effectively inspect firearms dealers, trace firearms used in crimes, prosecute gun charges, and help keep the communities they serve safe.

Attorney General Bonta stands with partners throughout the state to continue tackling the issue of gun violence strategically and aggressively by:

• Defending California's commonsense gun safety laws, including by obtaining a stay of an order enjoining California's restrictions on large-capacity magazines.
• Educating the public on gun violence prevention through the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, including through the first-ever data report issued by the office to provide a robust review of gun violence data in California and throughout the U.S. and to help guide policy and strategy discussions related to reducing gun violence.
• Advocating for gun laws including by sponsoring Assembly Bill 1594 to increase accountability for the firearm industry, working to strengthen federal laws to protect the public from ghost guns, and successfully defending California’s laws to prevent gun violence.
• Seizing guns from prohibited persons in the Armed and Prohibited Persons System, and through multiagency sweeps in the Bay Area and Los Angeles County, conducting operations targeting individuals attempting to illegally purchase guns, and collaborating with local law enforcement partners.
• Ending the sale of illegal firearms through litigation against ghost gun retailers, and by putting a stop to the sale of illegal assault weapons in Orange County. 

Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia in filing the brief.

A copy of the comment letter can be found here. 

FRESNO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the arrests of 19 suspects as part of a three-day multiagency operation that targeted child predators. Operation “White Elephant” targeted adults seeking to sexually exploit children and victims of sex trafficking, using undercover agents and detectives posing as minors offering sex for pay on applications and websites commonly used by predators.

“In California, we do not tolerate the sexual exploitation and human trafficking of children,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “To combat this modern-day form of slavery, I established the Human Trafficking and Sexual Predator Apprehension Team within the Department of Justice. This specialized team provides targeted support and taking aggressive measures to put an end to these heinous crimes in our state. I want to express my gratitude to all our partners who have collaborated with us in this important operation. Our fight against sexual exploitation and human trafficking will not waver because even one person being exploited is one too many. Together, we can create a safer future for all vulnerable individuals who deserve protection, freedom, and justice.”

“Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation is a growing issue, requiring vigilance and constant attention,” said King County Sheriff David Robinson. “It can take place in any community, regardless of the community’s size or location.” 

The operation lasted from November 29 and December 1, 2023, and included special agents from the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Investigation, the Human Trafficking and Sexual Predator Apprehension Team, along with the agents, officers and deputies from Kings County Sheriff's Office, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hanford Police Department, Lemoore Police Department, and Corcoran Police Department. 

Subjects were booked into the Kings County and Tulare County Jails on the charges of Penal Code (PC) 288.2(a)(2)-sending harmful material to seduce a minor, PC 288.3-communicating with a minor for the purposes of sex, PC 288.4-meeting with a minor for the purpose of sex and PC 311.4(b)-enticing a minor to produce pornography.  The Kings County and Tulare County District Attorney's Offices will be prosecuting the cases.

If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to access help and services. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Additional information and resources to support survivors of human trafficking are available here. 

MARIPOSA COUNTY — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the arrest of a suspect for the murder of Wendy Pullins in Mariposa, California. The suspect, Justin Bolton, was located by investigators on November 9, 2023, in Willits, California.
  
“My deepest sympathies go out to the loved ones of Wendy Pullins, but we are grateful that justice has been served today,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This arrest serves as a powerful reminder to our community that individuals who commit heinous crimes will face consequences. We express our immense gratitude for the unwavering dedication of our law enforcement allies in resolving this case.”
 
“While this case has been a long one, our focus never wavered to find Wendy and arrest those involved in her disappearance and eventual murder,” said Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese. “I want to thank the multiple agencies, including the California Department of Justice, for their assistance and support.”
 
Pullins was first reported missing in 2022, which was later determined to be a suspicious death, in 2023. The arrest is the result of a joint investigation by the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Special Operation Unit in collaboration with Mariposa Sheriff's Office, Mendocino County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Vallejo Police Department.
 
Through collaboration, the DOJ Special Operations Unit provides statewide enforcement for combating violent career criminals, gangs, and organized crime groups, along with intrastate drug traffickers. These unique and essential teams use the latest technology and advanced investigative techniques and work alongside local law enforcement to enhance investigations into violent criminals and organized crime throughout the state. The California Department of Justice is hiring. Visit oag.ca.gov/careers to view available positions and learn how you can help DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians.
 

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a bulletin to California local law enforcement agencies reminding them of their obligations under state law to enact policies and procedures to help improve reporting, enforcement, and education regarding crimes against seniors and persons with disabilities. Although seniors and persons with disabilities are more likely to be victims of serious crimes, these crimes have been historically underreported. To better address this challenge, in 2019, California enacted Senate Bill 338, The Senior and Disability Justice Act (SB 338) to encourage local law enforcement agencies to adopt comprehensive policies to improve reporting and investigations of disability and elder abuse. Attorney General Bonta’s advisory reminds these agencies of the requirements under SB 338 and urges each of them to reach compliance as soon as possible to protect the safety of seniors and persons with disabilities statewide.

“Law enforcement has a legal and moral obligation to do all they can to ensure that the rights of seniors and people with disabilities are protected,” said Attorney General Bonta. “When crimes go unreported or are improperly documented, these crimes and their victims remain in the dark. We must provide these victims with the accountability and the justice that they are entitled to. I urge all agencies to review their policies to ensure they are consistent with SB 338 and recognize seniors’ and people with disabilities’ equal protections under the law.”

People with disabilities, including disabilities caused by advanced age, are more likely to be victims of serious crimes, such as abuse, sexual assault, hate crimes, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Nationally, people with disabilities are at least 3.4 times more likely to be victimized by violent crimes than people without disabilities. People with cognitive disabilities — including intellectual disabilities and dementia— are even more likely to be victims of violent crime, at 5.5 times the rate of people without disabilities. This is especially concerning in California, where the number of seniors and people with disabilities are rapidly increasing.

In 2019, California enacted SB 338 to draw attention to the wide extent of crimes against seniors and people with disabilities; reinforce that these acts are crimes, not merely civil matters; and strongly encourage every local law enforcement agency to adopt a comprehensive policy concerning these crimes, including effective, accountable, and locally developed protocols for carrying out the agency’s existing responsibilities.

Despite their prevalence, crimes against seniors and persons with disabilities continue to be underreported. For example, while 40,000 anti-disability hate crimes were estimated to have occurred nationally in 2017, California law enforcement agencies reported just four such incidents in 2017 and seven incidents in 2018. Moreover, even when senior and disability victimization is reported, the response by law enforcement may be inadequate. For example, one survey of crime victims with disabilities found that perpetrators were arrested just less than 10% of the time. The majority of victims— nearly 53%—reported that nothing happened after they reported abuse to the authorities.

The bulletin, issued by the California Department of Justice’s Division of Law Enforcement outlines that municipal police or county sheriffs’ departments that adopt or revise a policy regarding elder and dependent adult abuse or senior and disability victimization on or after April 13, 2021, must include the 28 items stated in Penal Code section 368.6, subdivision (c). The items provide clear definitions and information on the wide prevalence of crimes against seniors and people with disabilities. The legislation also requires including provisions related to extensive training on senior and disability victimization, a requirement that officers investigate every report of senior and disability victimization, detailed protocols for handling these crimes, and provisions regarding outreach to the senior and disability communities to encourage reporting and prevention of these crimes.

The bulletin may be viewed here.

BAKERSFIELD – As part of a statewide effort to address hate, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today was joined by Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh and local leaders for an anti-hate roundtable discussion. The roundtable in Bakersfield is the 11th in a series of meetings led by Attorney General Bonta across the state to bring together local elected officials, law enforcement officers, and community leaders to discuss best practices in addressing hate crime. The roundtables are broadly aimed at developing strategies to address bias and hate, increasing awareness around available resources for members of the public, and strengthening responses to hate crimes and incidents in California.

“There is no place for hate in California, and now more than ever, we must stand united against hate and extremism,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “The community involvement and local support of cities across California aids in better understanding awareness of the issue to identify best practices to eliminate the staggering rise of hate and extremism. I want to thank Mayor Goh and local leaders in Bakersfield for their partnership and commitment to combating the rise of hate, fostering holistic, community-based responses, and providing resources where they are most needed. Every Californian deserves to feel safe in their cities and communities."

“Hatred of our brothers and sisters has no place in the City of Bakersfield,” said Mayor Karen Goh. “I thank the Attorney General for bringing the community together for this important discussion.”

In 2021, California experienced an alarming 32.6% overall increase in reported hate crimes, the highest number of reported hate crimes in the state since the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Although not captured in statewide hate crime statistics, it’s also important to remember that hate incidents — acts that do not rise to the level of a crime — are also incredibly harmful and can leave lasting, negative impacts on all our communities. The critical discussion held today focused on developing community-based solutions to protect residents and communities from harm.

Attorney General Bonta has issued a series of reports, guidance, and resources to help the public and law enforcement better understand and address hate crimes in California. Given the ongoing challenge presented by hate crime, the Attorney General urges leaders across the state and members of the public to review and make use of these important resources, which include a law enforcement bulletin summarizing applicable civil and criminal hate crime laws, guidance to prosecutors to help strengthen prosecution and enforcement, and brochures and fact sheets in more than two dozen languages to assist Californians in identifying and responding to hate crime events. In 2021, Attorney General Bonta also released a special report on anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic, which offers important context and analysis regarding the recent increases in anti-Asian hate crime events.

Attorney General Bonta launched the Racial Justice Bureau, which, among other things, supports the California Department of Justice’s broader mandate to advance the civil rights of all Californians by assisting with new and ongoing efforts to combat hate and bias. In 2021, the Attorney General began proactively engaging with local city leaders in the 13 biggest cities in California through roundtables in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, Riverside, Long Beach, Santa Ana, San Jose, Stockton, and Anaheim. 

More broadly, the Attorney General is deeply committed to responding to the needs of historically marginalized and underrepresented communities and, in July 2021, also launched the Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement to work directly with community organizations and members of the public as part of the effort to advance justice for all Californians.

Members of the public can further explore hate crime data on OpenJustice.

If you believe you or someone you know has been the victim of a hate crime, notify local law enforcement and consider taking the following steps: 

• If you are in immediate danger, call 911 and if needed, seek medical attention.
• Write down the exact words that were used and take note of any other relevant facts.
• If safe to do so, save all evidence and take photos.
• Get contact information for other victims and witnesses.
• Reach out to community organizations in your area that deal with hate crimes or incidents.

Reports of hate incidents can also be made to the California Civil Rights Department CA v. Hate hotline and online portal at any time in 15 languages or by calling (833) 866-4283 or 833-8-NO-HATE, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and talking to a trained civil rights agent in over 200 languages. Outside of those hours, people can leave a voicemail or call 211 to report a hate incident and seek support from a professional trained in culturally competent communication and trauma-informed practices.

STOCKTON – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones, and San Joaquin County District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar today announced the arrest of 50 individuals; the seizure of 42 firearms, including 8 assault weapons; and the seizure of approximately 25 pounds of drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine as part of a takedown of gang members in Stockton.

This operation targeted criminal activities by the Norteño street gang. The arrests are a result of a three-month long investigation that began in August 2019. The alleged criminal activities included attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and the possession and sale of firearms.

“At the California Department of Justice, protecting public safety in our neighborhoods and communities is our top priority,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Thanks to a collaborative effort with the Stockton Police Department and many other law enforcement agencies, Stockton’s streets are a little bit safer tonight. We will continue to work with our partners to bring criminal street gangs to justice.”

"By partnering with our allied law enforcement agencies, this type of collaborative response is an invaluable tool in our efforts to reduce crime in the city of Stockton," said Chief Jones. "I want to thank our State, and local law enforcement partners for their willingness to work alongside the men and women of the Stockton Police Department and together put countless hours of good, solid, police work that resulted in numerous arrests of violent gang members and the seizure of a great number of weapons and narcotics."

“I am grateful to Attorney General Becerra, the Department of Justice, and all of our local law enforcement partners for their important roles in removing from our streets those intent on creating harm in the community,” said District Attorney Verber Salazar. “Collectively, we have chosen to focus our efforts on those few among us bent on committing acts of serious violence and the enablers who assist them in doing so. Intelligence-driven prosecution and intelligence-driven policing allow us to focus on this small group of people who are responsible for the majority of the harm to our community. Collaborative and interdependent investigations like these are critical in our efforts to make our community safer and to communicate the message to those on the fence that if you pick up a gun and use it to commit a crime in our community, we’re coming for you.”

The operation was the product of a joint investigation by the California Department of Justice and California Highway Patrol, Special Operations Unit, the Stockton Police Department Gang Violence Suppression Unit, and the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office. As a result of the investigation, agents were able to identify the suspects wanted in connection with the shooting of a ten-year-old who was shot while playing in a backyard. 

The Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between the California Department of Justice and the California Highway Patrol that provides statewide enforcement for combating violent career criminals, gangs, and organized crime groups, along with intrastate drug traffickers. These unique and essential teams use the latest technology and advanced investigative techniques and work alongside local law enforcement to enhance investigations into violent criminals and organized crime throughout the state.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint contains charges that are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced charges against Adriana Pinnisi for grand theft and identity theft in a case of embezzlement from her employer. Pinnisi pled not guilty when she was arraigned on August 28.

Pinnisi was arrested on August 17 following an investigation by the California Department of Justice’s eCrime Unit, which found that she allegedly used an American Express corporate credit card from her employer, Signal Products, to make unauthorized purchases for her personal use. Over a 12 month periood – December 3, 2015 to November 12, 2016 – Pinnisi allegedly stole more than $1,015,350.88.

“Computer-related fraud threatens both businesses and consumers,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Unauthorized purchasing with a corporate credit card is stealing and is something no business owner should have to worry about.”

Pinnisi abused her position as Controller at Signal Products, where she would monitor, approve, and record business-related expenses. After discovering that Pinnisi had stolen from the company, Signal Products also discovered that the records and receipts of her expenses were missing.

The California Department of Justice filed a felony complaint in the LA Superior Court charging the defendant with the following three counts:

• Theft by False Pretenses;
• Grand Theft;
• Identity Theft, along with Special Allegations for Excessive Loss.

An arrest warrant was signed on May 11, 2017, and bail was set at $245,000. Pinnisi was residing in New York at the time, where she was seeking employment as a controller. The LAPD coordinated with the NYPD for her arrest.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint contains charges that are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of the complaint is attached to the electronic version of this release at oag.ca.gov.