Lying LA sheriffs deputy who worked as muscle for crypto godfather learns fate

A shady former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who lied to investigators to help a convicted crypto fraudster avoid jail time has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, prosecutors said.Scott Allen Simpkins, 34, of Brea, was also fined $10,000 after he admitted he falsely testified in the case of a wannabe crypto king known as “The Godfather,” according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.Simpkins — a former LASD deputy and SWAT officer — gave phony testimony in an effort to help Adam Iza, a 25-year-old crypto entrepreneur who ran fraudulent marketing and cryptocurrency ventures, escape from his crimes unpunished, feds said.Iza, who is accused of using violence and intimidation to conduct his fraud, has been in federal custody since September 2024.He now awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to a slew of crimes connected to his schemes.Simpkins on March 17 pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice.

He resigned from LASD’s Special Enforcement Bureau after admitting to the felony.Prosecutors say he attempted to aid Iza by lying to FBI agents that he never saw the wannabe crypto mogul threaten and extort $25,000 from a party planner at his Bel Air mansion.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story The caper began in August 2021, when Iza hired Simpkins, fellow then-LASD deputy Christopher Michael Cadman, 34, of Fullerton, and other law enforcement officers to provide private security at a party at his massive Bel Air home.After the party ended, at around 3 a.m.or 4 a.m.

on Aug.15, 2021, Simpkins learned the party planner — identified in court documents as “R.C.” — had been kicked out of the party for erratic behavior.The next day, Simpkins was working another shift at Iza�...