Crypto 'Godfather' scandal: Ex-deputy jailed for lying

Ex-LA deputy Scott Simpkins was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $10,000 for lying about a $25,000 extortion at crypto mogul Adam Iza’s mansion. The case is part of a wider corruption probe.

Scott Allen Simpkins, a former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and fined $10,000. He was convicted of lying to investigators about a $25,000 extortion incident involving Adam Iza, a self-proclaimed crypto mogul known as “The Godfather.” Simpkins admitted to obstruction of justice after providing false testimony to protect Iza, who ran fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes and used violence and intimidation. The extortion took place at an August 2021 party at Iza’s Bel Air mansion, where Simpkins and another deputy were paid $1,400 each for security. This case is part of a wider corruption scandal involving law enforcement officers acting as enforcers for Iza. Several deputies have received prison sentences for their roles in Iza’s criminal enterprise. Iza remains in federal custody awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to multiple crimes.