FBI announces new Monterey County financial crime task force

The FBI’s San Francisco Division and District Attorney Dean D. Flippo for Monterey County announced the new Monterey County Financial Crime Task Force (MCFCTF) Friday.

The goal of the new task unit is to identify, investigate and prosecute those involved with financial crimes, especially fraud.

“The creation of this task force demonstrates our serious commitment to diminishing the threat of financial fraud in Monterey County,” said FBI Agent John F. Bennett, “We look forward to a close partnership with the Monterey County DA’s Office in identifying, investigating, and prosecuting individuals who defraud victims for their own personal gain.”

“Joining this partnership creates a task force that will enable the FBI and our office to increase resources that will make it more difficult for defendants committing fraud to escape accountability,” said District Attorney Flippo.

There has been an ongoing partnership between the FBI and the Monterey County DA’s Office, but this task force formalizes it and allows access to more federal resources.