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Former Police Chief Guilty In Monterey County Bribery, Auto Seizure Scheme Targeting Mexicans

SALINAS (CBS SF) -- A former acting King City police chief pleaded guilty Monday to misdemeanor charges in an alleged bribery scheme that targeted Mexican nationals, according to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office.

Bruce Miller, 50, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit an act injurious to the public and providing false statements to the state Department of Motor Vehicles in the courtroom of Judge Julie Culver, prosecutors said.

Miller was one of six King City police officers arrested last year after the district attorney's office investigated complaints alleging corruption within the department, according to prosecutors.

Under Miller's watch, officers allegedly stopped cars driven by Mexican nationals and forced them to give up the vehicles if they were unable to pay towing fees, prosecutors said.

Many of the cars were sent to Miller's Towing, a company owned by Miller's brother, Brian, which went against the Police Department's rotating towing policy, according to prosecutors.

Brian Miller gave some of the impounded cars to another officer, Bobby Carrillo, and the other vehicles were auctioned off, prosecutors said.

Bruce Miller accepted a free car from Carrillo but claimed he paid $500 for the vehicle when he registered it with the DMV, according to prosecutors.

Bruce Miller faces up to 18 months in jail and was scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 15.

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