HMB officer under investigation for withholding evidence

The city of Half Moon Bay has placed one of its police officers on leave while the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office investigates whether he withheld evidence in the child molestation case against martial arts instructor Joao Pierini, reports Julia Scott in the County Times.

"Our investigation is into whether the officer acted properly in the taking of a report into (Pierini’s) arrest," said [Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve] Wagstaffe, explaining that police officers, like doctors, are legally required to report if they learn that a crime such as child molestation has occurred.

He would not comment on the nature of the evidence that was omitted or suppressed by the officer who took the police report on Pierini, but said it did not affect the outcome of Pierini’s case because he pleaded no contest to the charges.

The investigation is expected to take a week and a half.