Former ATF Agent from Livermore Agrees to $40,000 Settlement of False Allegations

A former federal law enforcement agent from Livermore has agreed to pay $40,000 to resolve allegations he submitted false claims for paid sick leave for cancer, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

Douglas daCosta retired in June 2009 as a criminal investigator with the San Francisco field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, known as ATF. The Justice Department alleged that he submitted false claims for more than 80 days of cancer-related sick leave between January and June 2009.

The $40,000 settlement resolves the Justice Department allegations without any determination that daCosta was in fact liable for the false claims, the agency noted. Government lawyers alleged that daCosta falsely told his supervisors he was undergoing extensive cancer treatment and gave them a forged letter from a doctor.

The Justice Department attorneys alleged that daCosta did not have cancer, was not undergoing treatment and was working in the private sector at the time he was claiming sick leave. The investigation was handled by the department's Civil Division and Office of Inspector General in Washington, D.C.

Civil Division chief Benjamin Mizer said in a statement, "When a law enforcement officer misuses taxpayer funds, he does a disservice to his colleagues who serve with professionalism and distinction."

"This settlement shows that we will not hesitate to hold individuals accountable if they misuse taxpayer funds," Mizer said.

By Bay City News

Photo via Shutterstock