Attorney General Bonta Announces Sentencing of Former Merced Police Officer for Embezzlement Scheme

MERCED – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the sentencing of Joseph Deliman, who embezzled more than $40,000 dollars from the Merced Police Officers' Association (MPOA) over a three-year period. While serving on the MPOA Board, Deliman stole MPOA funds and used these funds for personal expenses and personal vacations. Deliman pled no contest to one count of felony grand theft. Deliman will be placed on felony probation for two years, will serve 180 days on electronic monitoring, and will be required to pay $47,612 in restitution.

“We expect our public servants to uphold the highest standards of ethics,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s announcement should send a strong message: In California, we will not tolerate abuse of power. Joseph Deliman was in a trusted position to help our community, but instead used his position to enrich himself. Today, we held him accountable.”

Deliman, a retired police officer for the Merced Police Department, was arrested on October 30, 2018, following a year-long investigation by the California Department of Justice. 

A copy of the filed complaint is available here.