Two LAPD Officers Arrested for COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Fraud

Two Los Angeles police officers face insurance fraud charges for allegedly filing for COVID-11 unemployment benefits while employed.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 14, 2026, 7:04 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from CBS News Los Angeles.

Surrender and Administrative Leave

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that Police Officer III Peter Mastrocinque and Police Officer II Nicole Grant surrendered to authorities on Friday following the filing of criminal charges. Both officers were booked and subsequently released, though they have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the judicial process. The arrests follow a detailed review of pandemic-era benefit claims by the District Attorney’s Office.

Flagged Applications and Joint Investigation

The investigation began after the DA's office identified potentially fraudulent unemployment insurance applications submitted between 2020 and 2021. A collaborative effort between the DA’s Office and the LAPD’s Special Operations Division (SOD) established probable cause, suggesting that Mastrocinque and Grant received illegal payments while actively employed.

The SOD’s Major Complaint Unit, which specifically investigates department personnel for workers’ compensation fraud and abuse of benefits, spearheaded the internal side of the probe. In a statement, the LAPD emphasized its commitment to "aggressively investigating fraud and benefits abuse" to ensure public resources are protected and department integrity is maintained.

Patterns of Misconduct and Department Oversight