‘Duty, Honor, Country . . . Is the Most Important Thing There Is’

On April 18, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy John Hurtado was relieved of duty--one of 26 narcotics officers suspended in a money-skimming scandal. Following are excerpts of a tape-recording made by Hurtado as he was questioned by FBI Agent John R. Kingston and IRS Agent Robert B. Warren.

Kingston: Well, basically, we are just here to inform you of what we plan on doing as a task force and, hopefully, giving you an option of what you want to do. . . . What side of the fence you want to be on is strictly up to you now. But (what) I’d like to explain to you is that there is going to be a couple of more indictments coming . . . probably one for the Southwest crew and probably one for Majors III . . . .

Suffice to say, in general, that there’s some discrepancies on money in a number of cases (involving the Majors III narcotics team). It seems like you were asked to do the (money seizure) reports on a lot of these cases and, uh, there (were) some discrepancies in the reports as well. The proof (of theft) is fairly strong now. It certainly is not to the point where you are going to be indicted or (anything).

I’m not sure how the state system works (in California) . . . . I’m just going to give you my personal knowledge of the FBI and white-collar crimes. I came from the Atlanta office about four months ago. In that office in the last five or 5 1/2 years that I worked there, the squad that did white-collar crime had about 350 convictions and . . . I only know of two acquittals.

The U.S. attorney’s office traditionally has a very high conviction rate . . . close to a 98% conviction rate. So, you know, you might just want to keep that in the back of your mind when you’re making a decision (about whether to cooperate). Now, I understand you’re a Marine, an ex-Marine. And I know that Marines are team players. Is that right?

Hurtado: We do our jobs well, sir.

Kingston: And I think it’s going to be hard to overcome that. I think you’ve got an ingrained desire to be part of the group and to be loyal to the group.

Hurtado: I’m an American citizen, sir.

Kingston: Well, that’s what appeals to me. I mean, my dad was in the military and I grew up on military bases all my life. Duty, honor, country, as far as I’m concerned, is the most important thing there is.

Hurtado: And I agree.

Kingston: From what I’ve been told in general how this started . . . some thefts started off very small . . . with the concept of maybe paying informants or making little kitties to buy guns or other stuff that isn’t available when you need it . . . . A very good rationale, particularly paying informants and things like that, not having to put up with all the paper work and nonsense, and I can really relate to that . . . . But then it just got a little bit out of hand, and people started taking more. You know as well as I do that that’s not right . . . . You’ve either got to be on the right side of the fence or on the wrong side . . . .

You’ve got loyalty to your friends and that’s a terrible, terrible personal thing that you’re going to have to struggle with. But we would appreciate cooperation . . . . I feel confident that we are eventually going to make a case on Majors III and it would really help us if someone were to start cooperating now. And that’s what we’re right here to ask for. Now, perhaps you have something to add to that.

Warren: Well, I’m sure that this is the worst day of your life and this is going to be real hard . . . . The first group of indictments that have come down, they’re pretty clear. I’m sure you’ve read about them in the newspapers. The financial part (of) . . . this investigation . . . proved that lots of money was spent, money that didn’t come from earnings. It obviously came from the thefts. There’s no question that the 10 people who were indicted did in fact steal the money . . . . The amounts involved were quite large. We’re very familiar with some of the takedowns or rips . . . that you were involved in. There are (money) shortages and there is a ledger of that. Mr. Duran kept a ledger. We know how much we believe you got in each rip.

Kingston: Or the group got and that Mac Duran got individually.

Warren: So, we’re going to be living with each other, like it or not, for quite a while. From the IRS, I have your tax returns here . . . . I don’t see any of the money that you would have received from the split from the other deputies . . . . I’ll prove that you did receive it, and we’ll make that (tax evasion) part of the charges . . . . You can see where potentially you are in a real vise . . . .

Kingston: You know, we’d hate to be in your position right now. Is there anything you want to ask us, you want to get off your chest? I know you can’t be feeling real great now.

Hurtado: Well, as a matter of fact, I feel fine. It’s just that it is a surprise. And I don’t underestimate your capabilities or your powers, sir. You’re just doing your job. But, I just have to contend with you. And, uh, as far as loyalties are concerned, I’m loyal to my country, my government, this department and also to my friends. So, let’s clear that matter up.

Kingston: In that order?

Hurtado: In that order.