Crime & Safety
Orange County Man Bribed Santa Ana Police Officer, Prosecutors Say
A Fountain Valley man pleaded guilty Wednesday to bribing a Santa Ana police officer to protect the defendant's illegal gambling operation.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA — A Fountain Valley man pleaded guilty Wednesday to bribing a Santa Ana police officer to protect the defendant's illegal gambling operation.
Niem Ngoc Ha, 47, is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 13 in federal court in Santa Ana.
Ha admitted paying $128,000 in bribes to then-Officer Steven Lopez in 2020, according to prosecutors. Ha pleaded guilty to conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business and bribery.
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Ha operated four underground casinos in Santa Ana that featured video gambling machines, prosecutors said.
Lopez pleaded guilty in December 2020 and is scheduled to be sentenced June 5 of next year.
