LOS ANGELES >> A former Irwindale police officer was sentenced Monday to one year in county jail and five years probation for stealing his 89-year-old father’s life savings of $250,000.
Dennis Alva, 48, surrendered to deputies at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles where his sentencing was held, said Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office.
She added the court also ordered Alva to pay his father $250,000 in restitution.
The ex-officer had pleaded no contest in September to one count of grand theft.
The DA’s Justice System Integrity Division originally charged Alva with grand theft, second-degree burglary and elder abuse. The elder abuse and burglary charges were dismissed as part of the plea deal. Alva faced a maximum sentence of four years in prison if he had been convicted of all the charges, authorities said.
“It’s been very, very hard for his entire family,” said Ann Anat Gottesman, who is Alva’s lawyer. “He has had an exemplary career as a police officer. Eleven years with the police department, I believe. And it’s really been difficult for him.”
Alva’s father, Jess, reported the theft to Azusa Police in December after he discovered the money missing from the garage where he hid it.
Police said the money was stolen over several years but didn’t know what Alva did with it. The cash wasn’t recovered,
Gottesman declined to comment on details of the case.
Alva is no longer with the Irwindale Police Department, but it’s not clear if he resigned or was fired.
He was among several Irwindale police officers accused of misconduct.
A woman sued the city for $20 million alleging that Sgt. David Fraijo sexually assaulted her during a traffic stop in October.
Officer Daniel Camerano was accused of allegedly having inappropriate relationships with Explorer Scouts, Lt. Mario Camacho was accused of allegedly sexually harassing a female cadet and Officer Rudy Campos filed a civil lawsuit against the city accusing Camacho of retaliation.
Interim Police Chief Roy Campos said of the city’s 24 sworn officers, one officer is on paid administrative leave while a criminal investigation is underway. He didn’t name the officer.
The police department has five internal investigations ongoing, Campos said.
— Staff writer Sarah Favot contributed to this report
