Hayward cop arrested, accused of soliciting bribe
San Francisco Chronicle / SFGate
by Henry K. Lee
October 7, 2013
Ofc Romeo Aberin (Photo Hayward Police Dept)
A Hayward police officer solicited a $500 bribe from a suspect in exchange for letting the woman slide in a prescription forgery case, authorities said.
Romeo Aberin, 30, was arrested Monday after Alameda County prosecutors charged him with extortion under color of authority and receiving a bribe by an executive officer, both felonies. Aberin, a patrol officer since joining the department in 2007, posted $50,000 bail and turned in a letter of resignation, officials said.
Michael Rains, Aberin’s attorney, said his client is an Army veteran and married father of two who has served on the SWAT team and has “an outstanding reputation for being diligent and very ethical. The conduct charged is really antithetical to the sort of reputation he has enjoyed in the department.”
Aberin chose to resign because it was the “more honorable thing to do,” Rains said, adding he would not permit his client to be interviewed by internal affairs given the pending criminal case.
Hayward Police Chief Diane Urban said Monday that the response to the bribery allegation “reflects our enduring commitment to ensure criminal behavior is not tolerated.” (Photo: Liz Hafalia)
The case stems from an investigation last month in which Aberin interviewed Tammy Spencer, an employee of a clinic, and determined that she had stolen blank prescription pads and forged prescriptions for friends, police said.
Instead of arresting Spencer, Aberin tried to use her as a confidential informant, telling her that she had two weeks to come up with information relating to drug trafficking and money laundering, police officials said.
However, Aberin “never notified the department of his actions or intent” and failed to follow policies mandating how officers deal with informants, said Hayward police Sgt. Mark Ormsby.
Two weeks later, on Sept. 13, Aberin allegedly arranged to meet Spencer at her workplace. The two met while Aberin was off duty, and he reminded her of what he wanted from her, officials said.
“When the victim advised Aberin there was no useful information to give him, he proceeded to ask for cash in exchange to dismiss reporting any criminal activity against the victim,” Ormsby said. “Out of fear and duress, the victim complied.”
Authorities said Spencer gave Aberin $500 that she withdrew from an ATM, police said, while secretly recording the interaction on her cell phone.
The next day, she reported Aberin to the San Leandro Police Department. Aberin admitted to taking the $500 but “contended she provided the money willingly,” investigators said in an affidavit. Spencer was not arrested.
Aberin’s arrest comes nine days after Livermore police arrested another Hayward officer, Richard McLeod, 38, on charges that he abused numerous girls when he previously worked as a teacher at an after-school program in Livermore. McLeod is being held without bail.
Hayward Police Chief Diane Urban said Monday that the response to the bribery allegation “reflects our enduring commitment to ensure criminal behavior is not tolerated.”
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