ONLY ON 3: Retired DA Investigator Accused Of Lying On Reports

A former investigator with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office is the target of a criminal investigation.

Recently retired D.A. Senior Investigator Candette Hammond is accused of perjury.

News Channel 3 has confirmed Sheriff’s detectives handed over the case just days ago to the Palm Springs Police Department.

Candette Hammond is not under arrest tonight. But, she soon could be. And, dozens of criminal cases this DA investigator took part in her years of service are now in question.

According to internal affairs reports obtained by News Channel 3, Hammond first came under suspicion in 2006. Her immediate supervisors at the DA’s office concluded she made up an entire interview while investigating a criminal case.

They brought the matter up to then Chief Deputy District Attorney Eileen Hunt. When Hunt told District Attorney Rod Pacheco about it, she claims in a recent lawsuit Pacheco told her “don’t disclose anything.” The DA’s office denies this ever happened, calling Hunt a disgruntled ex-employee.

Hammond targeted former District Attorney Investigator Luis Bolanos for investigation. The State Attorney General’s office arrested him in 2005 for domestic violence and perjury.

After losing his job, and his livelihood, a judge determined the case against Bolanos should have never seen the light of day.

Bolanos speaks out, “There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that because of Rod Pacheco, and his directions, there are individuals in custody right now that do not deserve to be there. For this man to supervise and direct, I could be sitting and talking to you in jail right now. Now, who would have listened to me then?”

We interviewed Olga Bates May of 2007. She knew Bolano’s ex-wife. Bates says the DA’s office ignored her when she told them the ex-wife admitted lying to her about the charges and the gifts she received from Hammond.

“I was interviewed by two FBI agents and they were amazed that after my letter of complaint to the District Attorney about Candette’s investigation and her behavior, that no one bothered to talk to me from that office,” said Bates.

The District Attorney’s office discounts Bolanos as another disgruntled ex-employee.

David Downing is a former prosecutor and now a superior court judge. He testified in support of Luis Bolanos to get his named cleared.

Downing later claimed the DA’s office tried to commit the act of “witness intimidation” against him. They call Downing’s words “irresponsible.” The DA’s office claims Downing is yet another supposed disgruntled ex-employee.

The Sheriff’s Department in Palm Desert handed over the Candette Hammond case to Al Franz with Palm Springs Police because much of the alleged perjury happened in that city.

The fate of dozens of criminal cases handled by Investigator Hammond now hang in the balance. But, Bolanos says his life is already ruined.

“I lost the ability to care for my kids. I haven’t been able to take care of my kids for the past 5 years. Destroyed me. That’s what Mrs. Hammond means to me.”

News Channel 3 received a response late Friday afternoon from John Hall at the DA’s Office. It reads: “The District Attorney’s Office has no comment on this inquiry.”

We have in depth reporting of this investigation on our website, KESQ.com. Just go to the home tab at the top left of your screen and in the section titles “Special Reports,” click on “Inside The DA’s Office” or click here.