Two Oakland police officers were indicted last month for allegedly conspiring with a federal aviation official to fraudulently obtain pilot certifications.
Brandon Mart and David Mac, both Oakland Police Department Air Support Unit helicopter pilots, allegedly conspired with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector to obtain the certifications between July 2023 and March 2024, according to a federal grand jury indictment filed on Aug. 27.
The FAA official, William Miller, was an aviation safety inspector in charge of performing “checkrides,” flights in which people seeking pilot certifications are tested for mastery of an aircraft by completing flight maneuvers like takeoffs, landings and emergency operations.
Checkrides also consist of an oral test, during which a person must demonstrate knowledge of aviation regulations, aircraft systems and weather, among other…
Investment fraud targets the human desire for financial growth by promising high returns with “low to no risk.”
- Ponzi Schemes: Named after Charles Ponzi, these schemes pay “returns” to earlier investors using the capital brought in by newer investors. There is no actual underlying business; the system collapses when new recruitment slows down.
- Pyramid Schemes: Similar to Ponzi schemes, but participants are usually required to sell a product or service. The primary “profit” comes from the recruitment fees of new members rather than actual product sales.
- Pump and Dump: Fraudsters spread false, positive rumors about a cheap stock (the “pump”) to drive up the price. Once the price peaks, they sell their shares (the “dump”), leaving other investors with worthless stock.