3 sheriff's deputies, 1 parking officer suspected of accepting bribes

LYNNWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- Three Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies and one parking control officer were relieved of duty as part of a criminal investigation stemming from allegations that the four employees accepted cash or items from car owners to avoid towing or impounding their vehicle.

Officials with the sheriff's department first learned of the possible bribes in early December last year and began the investigation.

Sheriff's department spokesperson Nicole Nishida said the parking control officer and deputies in question are being investigated for separate cases and are suspected of operating independently of each other.

"[The employees were] either accepting cash from a person, who was going to be impounded or their vehicle was going to be towed, or items that were stolen," Nishida said.

All four of the employees were based at the Century Station in Lynwood and were relieved last week with pay.

The sheriff's department is pointing to the towing investigation as a good example of its move toward transparency, with newly-elected Sheriff Jim McDonnell setting a new tone for the department.

"The sheriff's department and the sheriff are trying to rebuild the public's trust, and we won't tolerate any kind of misconduct," Nishida said.

Based on information obtained from the investigation so far, no other employees are involved, according to officials.