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Former Omaha Police Officer Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud Conspiracy
In a shocking case of public corruption, former Omaha Police Officer Johnny Palermo has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Palermo, 48, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on April 11, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska.
According to the United States Attorney Susan Lehr, Palermo conspired to defraud donors of the Latino Peace Officers Association (LPOA), the LPOA Board, and Police Athletics for Community Engagement (PACE) for his own personal benefit from 2017 to April 1, 2023. Palermo, a former police officer with the Omaha Police Department and LPOA Board member, conducted financial transactions for his personal benefit using LPOA funds without having full LPOA Board authority.
LPOA funds were misused by Palermo for trips, meals, and gambling. He also misused LPOA funds to purchase trips for friends and co-defendant Vincent Palermo. The benefits provided to Vincent Palermo, paid for by LPOA, were intended to influence Vincent Palermo’s actions as an Omaha City Councilman to benefit PACE and the LPOA.
Palermo will begin a 3-year term of supervised release after his release from prison. He was also ordered to pay $65,014.67 in restitution.
The FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel stated, ‘This former law enforcement officer violated his oath of office by using his trusted position for personal gain. Public corruption is a top criminal investigative priority for the FBI.’
Co-defendants Vincent J. Palermo and Richard Gonzalez were previously sentenced for conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. Vincent Palermo was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and a consecutive 9-month term of imprisonment for a violation of supervised release. Gonzalez was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. Both were ordered to pay restitution: $10,292.28 for Vincent Palermo; and $66,749.35 for Gonzalez.
Co-defendant Jack Olson’s trial is scheduled for June 24, 2024, before Senior Judge Gerrard in Lincoln. Olson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Johnny Palermo; Exact Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud; City and State: Omaha, Nebraska; Exact Date: April 11, 2024; Sentence or Outcome: 24 months in prison; Dollar Amounts: $65,014.67 in restitution.
Key Facts
- State: Nebraska
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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