Former Arcadia Police Officer Pleaded No Contest to Embezzling Charge

Christian Blesch, 36, is expected to be sentenced to 180 days in a county jail and three years probation

A former Arcadia police officer pleaded no contest Friday to stealing more than $50,000 from a police officers’ association to buy motorcycle accessories and other personal items.

Christian Blesch, 36, is expected to be sentenced on Sept. 30 to 180 days in jail and three years probation for one count of grand theft by embezzlement, officials from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.

As part of the plea agreement, Blesch will also pay nearly $42,000 in restitution.

Deputy District Attorney Geoffrey Rendon said in a statement that after being elected as the Arcadia Police Officer Association treasurer in 2011, Blesch used the association’s credit card for purchasing personal items like clothing, exercise equipment, shaving accessories and cigars.

Blesch then paid the monthly credit card bills from the association’s checking account, Rendon said.

Blesch resigned from the police force last September and turned himself into authorities. If convicted at trial he would have faced up to three years in prison.

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