Shocking LA Sheriff Corruption: Deputies Admit Aiding Crypto Extortion Scheme

Prepare for a disturbing revelation from the world of law enforcement and digital assets. Two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies have confessed to a shocking abuse of power, admitting they used their official positions to assist private security clients, including a notorious figure known as the crypto ‘Godfather’. This case highlights the dark side of the digital asset space when intertwined with **crypto crime**.

Unpacking the **Crypto Extortion** Plot

At the heart of this case is Adam Iza, also known as Ahmed Faiq and ‘The Godfather,’ who operated the crypto trading platform Zort. Prosecutors revealed that Iza enlisted the help of several LASD deputies to carry out extortion against victims. The deputies, while working private security side jobs, leveraged their law enforcement authority in unlawful ways to benefit Iza and other clients.

**LA Sheriff Corruption** Exposed: Deputies Strike Deals

The Justice Department announced that Deputies David Anthony Rodriguez and Christopher Michael Cadman have reached plea agreements. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy against rights. Cadman admitted to conspiracy against rights and subscribing to a false tax return. A third deputy, Eric Chase Saavedra, also previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy against rights and filing a false tax return in connection with Iza.

These admissions reveal a pattern where deputies used their positions in law enforcement while acting as private security for their off-duty clients, including Adam Iza.

How Deputies Facilitated **Police Corruption**

The methods used by the deputies were particularly alarming, involving the misuse of official law enforcement tools and authority:

• Cadman, along with another deputy, intimidated and threatened a victim linked to Iza in August 2021. This included holding the victim at gunpoint, immediately followed by the victim transferring $25,000 to Iza.
• Cadman also admitted to helping organize a traffic stop and arrest of the same victim later in September 2021, acting on Iza’s behalf. He also failed to report over $40,500 in income on his 2021 tax return.
• Rodriguez confessed to lying to a judge in July 2022 to obtain a search warrant for a different client, falsely claiming it was for a robbery investigation. The real purpose was to get a victim’s phone’s GPS location, which he shared with Deputy Saavedra.
• Information obtained from such warrants was then used by deputies and others to harass, threaten, and intimidate victims.

These actions represent a severe breach of public trust and illustrate how official powers were perverted for private gain.

The Role of **Adam Iza** and His ‘Pawns’

According to an FBI affidavit, Adam Iza reportedly boasted about paying deputies as much as $280,000 a month, referring to them as his “pawns.” Messages obtained by the FBI corroborate this chilling view of law enforcement as tools for hire.

In another instance, Iza allegedly used police information to pressure a victim into handing over a laptop containing crypto, sending intimidating messages that included the victim’s information from a police database, along with pictures of their family and car.

Iza’s ex-girlfriend, Iris Ramaya Au, also pleaded guilty to a false tax return charge related to over $2.6 million in illicit gains from Iza’s activities. She reportedly created shell corporations and bank accounts at his direction, using the funds to pay deputies and acquire luxury assets.

While Iza’s lawyer previously described him as misunderstood, the evidence points to a calculated criminal enterprise leveraging law enforcement connections.

Consequences Mount in This **Crypto Crime** Case

The legal consequences for those involved are significant. Cadman faces up to 13 years in prison. Rodriguez faces a maximum of 10 years. Saavedra is also facing up to 13 years. Adam Iza, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy against rights, wire fraud, and tax evasion in January, faces up to 35 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for December 15.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for corruption when individuals in positions of power engage in illicit activities, particularly those involving lucrative assets like cryptocurrency. The admissions by the deputies confirm the disturbing reality of law enforcement enabling criminal **crypto extortion**.

The legal proceedings continue, bringing to light the intricate web of deceit and abuse that characterized this shocking case of **LA Sheriff corruption** and **police corruption** linked to the actions of **Adam Iza**.