Former detective who stole $82K from Merced police union pleads no contest

A former detective who was accused of stealing more than $82,000 from the Merced Police Officers Association while he was the organization’s leader has pleaded no contest to felony grand theft.

Joseph Deliman, 61, had been scheduled to begin his jury trial in the case Tuesday. Defense Attorney Douglas Foster said his client now faces 180 days in jail and two years’ probation. He’s scheduled to be sentenced June 14.

“We are agreeing that Mr. Deliman, sometime during the time indicated, committed the crime of grand theft,” Foster said.

Foster declined further comment when asked about the case, which was prosecuted by California Office of the Attorney General.

Myles Campbell, the deputy attorney general who appeared remotely on Zoom for Monday’s proceedings, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Prior to his arrest in 2018, Deliman was a longtime detective who had worked many high profile homicides and cases. His crimes came as a shock to his fellow officers and others who worked in the department alongside him for years.

During his time as president of the Merced Police Officers Association, Deliman was responsible for the group’s financial accounts from 2007 to 2016 — and had a union credit card in his name.

He was arrested in November 2018 after it was discovered he had used the union’s funds for personal expenses like groceries, fast food purchases and trips to Carmel, Las Vegas and Niagara Falls.

In total, he took $82,495.94 from the MPOA, according to court and jail records. More than $28,000 of that total was reportedly charged to a credit card only he knew about.

Deliman left his position with Merced police in August 2017 after more than 20 years on the force, accepting an investigator job at the Merced County District Attorney’s Office.

But after his departure, the new association leadership found discrepancies in the union’s financial records. A year-long investigation by California Department of Justice followed.

He resigned from his role with the District Attorney’s Office after the embezzlement allegations surfaced.

This story was originally published May 16, 2022 at 1:12 PM.