Former OPD officer, D.A. investigator pleads guilty to charges including bribery and fraud
OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - An officer on Oakland Police Department's force for 26 years who went on to become an Alameda County District Attorney inspector, was under federal investigation and has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and fraud.
Harry Hu, joined the force in the early 1980s, became an original member of the gang task force and was considered a veteran Asian gang investigator. He left in 2007, when he began working as an investigator with the Alameda County District Attorney's office.
The D.A.'s office confirmed he was no longer employed with them on the week of September 9. KTVU then learned of Hu's criminal activity.
In a 1997 interview, Hu spoke to KTVU about the behavior of Asian gangs in Oakland.
"They don't have any rules. They basically act upon instinct. Whatever they do at that moment, is what they want to do," Hu said at the time.
In his time at the D.A.'s office, Hu was also working with FBI informant Wing Wo Ma.
According to federal documents obtained by KTVU, Hu admitted to helping Ma avoid prosecution, in exchange for gifts.
The documents detail how Hu and Ma used to meet behind the Executive Inn and Suites in Oakland, so no one would see them together.
In 2008, Hu said he invested $40,000 in Ma's Las Vegas construction project, which he later learned was a fraud.
Hu admitted to lying to Oakland Police Department in 2009 when Ma was under investigation for a marijuana grow operation that caught fire in Oakland.
In return, Ma paid for three trips to Las Vegas and one to Reno. Ma paid for expensive hotel stays, food, alcohol, concert tickets, a short-term lease of a Mercedes Benz and hired hostesses--considered escorts--at karaoke bars called 'PR' rooms.
In 2013 Ma went to Hu for help again after investigators suspected Ma's involvement in a double homicide in Mendocino County. Hu said he didn't help Ma that time, but he also didn't report what he knew to law enforcement.
Hu has now gone from legendary investigator to convicted criminal.
He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and bribery.
Hu faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Oakland police released the following statement:
"The Oakland Police Department is appalled by the actions of former employee Harry Hu, who intentionally chose to serve his greed and desire by associating with criminals and engaging in criminal activity. Harry Hu's actions violated public trust, tarnished the honorable badge and failed to uphold the high standards and values of law enforcement.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s office released this statement:
“Former Inspector Harry Hu has brought shame on himself, on the Alameda County District Attorney's Office and the Oakland Police Department, as well as on the justice system.”