The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office today filed multiple felony charges and one misdemeanor charge against 41-year-old Matthew Buckley for alleged offenses that occurred when he was a deputy with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.
Buckley is facing charges of grand theft, unlawful possession of an assault weapon (AR-15), filing a false report, and two counts of preparing false documentary evidence. Additionally, Buckley faces a misdemeanor charge of destroying or concealing evidence.
The alleged violations occurred in 2020 and 2022.
Contra Costa County Chief Assistant District Attorney Simon O’Connell stated, “We are appreciative of the work the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office did in investigating this case. Their professionalism and thorough work — work done under difficult circumstances – led to the filing decision our office submitted to the court today.”
Buckley served as a bailiff when District Attorney Becton was a judge in the Superior Court of California. Upon receipt of the investigation from the Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office coordinated with the state Attorney General to determine whether
a conflict of interest existed to warrant the recusal of the DA’s Office. The AG’s Office responded that any conflict that exists can be remedied by creating an ethical wall between DA Becton and the prosecuting attorneys assigned to this case. In short, DA Becton will have no input nor will she make any decision regarding this case.
Buckley will be arraigned in court on a future date to hear the charges against him and to enter a plea.
As long as Livingston is at the helm, the department will be plagued with crooked cops. He has their back and has said so. At least this one’s being held accountable.