BART Police Officer Fired For Role In Oscar Grant Shooting Accused Of Unemployment Fraud
OAKLAND (CBS/AP) -- An ex-Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer fired for escalating a confrontation with passengers that led to the slaying of an unarmed man has been charged with unemployment fraud.
The Oakland Tribune reported Anthony Pirone is accused of collecting unemployment checks from the state for about seven months despite having a job. Pirone is serving in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. His criminal case has been delayed until next year.
Pirone was one of the first officers to respond to a suspected fight on a train moments before Oscar Grant was fatally shot by then-officer Johannes Mehserle on Jan. 1, 2009. The shooting was captured on video and sparked racial tensions and unrest.
Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to two years in prison.
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