A former California Highway Patrol officer accused of getting $4,000 in overtime pay for hours he never worked was allowed Wednesday to participate in a misdemeanor diversion program.
Scott Helberg, 49, of Corona, was initially charged in September 2021 with 27 felony counts of presenting a false claim and a felony count of grand theft by an employee. Those charges were reduced to misdemeanors and he was ordered to participate in a diversion program, according to court records.
Helberg could have faced up to 21 years in prison if convicted at trial under the original charges.
Helberg’s job included coordinating and assigning overtime and inspecting two trucks, according to Kimberly Edds, a spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Helberg was accused of turning in 27 time cards for overtime he did not work between Oct. 16, 2020, and July 1, 2021, prosecutors alleged.
Helberg resigned on June 14, 2021 after 22 years as a CHP officer.