The alleged fraudulent medical notes limited defendants to desk duty or improperly prolonged reduced activity to avoid fulltime work
LOS ANGELES — Three Los Angeles County probation officers have been charged with misdemeanor counts of altering medical records to avoid being assigned to full duties at juvenile detention facilities.
“Being a probation officer is a tough job, but you don’t get to cheat your way out of it,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “Altering medical records to avoid duty is a calculated abuse of the system, a disservice to the youth in their care, and an unfair burden on their coworkers. We will prove these charges in court and hold these defendants fully accountable.”
The Los Angeles County Probation Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau initiated the investigation a year ago and assisted throughout.
“Accountability is fundamental to our mission and to maintaining public trust. These allegations are serious, and we will not tolerate staff misconduct that undermines the integrity of our department,” Chief Probation Officer Guillermo Viera Rosa said. “I want to recognize our Internal Affairs Bureau for its collaboration with the District Attorney’s Office and thank District Attorney Hochman for pursuing cases that threaten public confidence. This conduct is an affront to the many honorable and dedicated probation officers who endure hardship and show up every day to serve.”
Christopher Leho (dob 6/5/74) of Rancho Cucamonga is charged with three misdemeanor counts of alteration of medical records in case 26CJCM01941. Octavia Davis (dob 11/3/70) of San Bernardino is charged with one misdemeanor count of alteration of medical records in case 26CJCM01939. Diane Bullock Smith (dob 7/21/64) of Palmdale is charged with one misdemeanor count of alteration of medical records in case 26CJCM01940.
The cases were filed for warrant. The three defendants will be arraigned at a later date. They are expected to be released on their own recognizance.
Leho, a 28-year employee, is accused of altering an original doctor’s note to create three fraudulent medical notes between August 2023 and May 2024 that restricted him to desk work. In February 2024, Davis, a 31-year employee, allegedly altered an authentic medical note that initially limited her to modified activity for 14 days, extending it to six months. In August 2022, Bullock Smith, also a 28-year employee, allegedly altered an authentic medical note that initially limited her to modified activity for eight days, extending it to two years.
If convicted as charged, Leho faces up to one year and six months in county jail. Davis and Bullock Smith each face up to 180 days in county jail.