Corrupt cops will still receive big payments of tax dollars in prison

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/ KBFX) — Both of the Bakersfield Police Department detectives guilty of dealing methamphetamine on the job will still receive tens of thousands of dollars in pension money while serving their sentences in prison.

Detective Damacio Diaz will have to wait about six years until he turns 50 before he's eligible. His partner, Detective Patrick Mara, found a way to get the money even earlier and without having to pay taxes on it.

Mara retired from the department at the age of 36 with a disability, just weeks before confessing to a felony that could carry a sentence of life in prison.

According to a document released by City Manager Alan Tandy, Mara was granted the disability behind closed doors on May 10, 2016. The Bakersfield Police Department would not tell us why Mara is disabled.

"Yeah, they're very secretive," said Michael Turnipseed of the Kern County Taxpayer's Association. "I don't have the information. I could never see the information because of the laws ... I see him standing up in court. I've seen pictures. It's not like he's in a wheelchair."

Mara was in court earlier this week, but refused to talk about the pension. Unlike Diaz, he ignored requests for an interview and has only spoken to the public once to issue a vague apology.

Turnipseed said it's very easy for people to file for a disability, especially in the state of California. A lot of people only need a friendly doctor willing to write the note.

"With everything going on, the city wants him to go away, and the city pays the bills," he said. "You are disabled until proven not beyond a shadow of the doubt."

At least until sentencing, Mara isn't receiving any benefits. His case is frozen until the pension fund determines the first day he started breaking the law. Both detectives will get to keep all of the retirement benefits they worked for until that day. All of the money accrued after that point will be obsolete.

"I think that upsets everybody that he doesn't lose his entire pension," said Turnipseed, "but, again, there are laws."

Ramon Chavez, the president of the Bakersfield Police Officers Association union, had very little to say.

"I really don't want to comment on that," he said. "It's not a good situation all around ... Obviously it makes us look bad. It makes all of law enforcement look bad."

Turnipseed said the system might not be fair, but technically it is legal.

"For taxpayers, it's just another one of those regrettable days that happened that we have to pay for," said Turnipseed. "What I think doesn't really matter. It's what the laws are. It's what the courts have ruled, and you're really not going to change that."

Mara faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. It's unclear what Diaz's minimum sentence might be, but both detectives face maximum terms of life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for later this year.

Five other officers are on paid administrative leave while the department investigates their involvement. The department has refused to release their names.