SIMI VALLEY : 4 Officers Probed in Investment Scam

Four more Simi Valley police officers are being investigated for their roles in an alleged investment scam that has already resulted in the suspension and indictment of a three-year veteran of the department, said sources close to the case.

“We are still investigating the involvement of other police officers,” Ventura County Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. James D. Ellison confirmed Tuesday.

The four officers invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when they were called to testify before the Ventura County grand jury, which indicted Officer Michael Cratch and four other participants in September, sources said. The grand jury transcript of those proceedings remains under seal.

Cratch, 24, and three of those men appeared in court Tuesday.

Mark McCord, 35, of Burbank pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of operating “an endless chain scheme.” He is expected to be sentenced to probation.

Cratch, Kevin Novack, 22, and Roland Tamparong, 23, all of Simi Valley, did not enter pleas Tuesday and had their arraignments postponed until next month. All three are charged with felonies.

They are accused of organizing a pyramid scheme that required an initial investment of $1,000. Each investor was then required to recruit new investors in order to pay off the top of the pyramid, Ellison said.

Richard Sayball, 55, of Simi Valley has also been indicted. His arraignment was also postponed until next month.

Cratch has been placed on paid leave since his arrest in July. He is the second Simi Valley officer to be charged with a felony in recent months. David Ming pleaded not guilty last month to a perjury charge that alleges he lied on the witness stand.

Simi Valley police officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.