LOS ANGELES (AP) A Los Angeles police captain pleaded no contest to charges of selling counterfeit movie DVDs, authorities said.
Suspended Capt. Julie D. Nelson, a 28-year veteran, entered her plea Friday. Because Superior Court Judge Robert Fitzgerald reduced her piracy charges to misdemeanors, she might keep her job and pension.
Nelson, 52, of the Orange County city of La Palma, was arrested Dec. 9 after investigators allegedly recovered hundreds of pirated DVDs in her home, car and office.
Authorities have claimed her boyfriend, Edward Monroy, produced thousands of movies in his Torrance apartment but have not filed charges against him.
In reducing the charges, the judge agreed with Nelson's defense attorney that she played a minor role in the alleged bootleg operation.
Nelson had faced a possible prison sentence of seven years if convicted of three felonies of possessing and selling counterfeit DVDs. She instead faces a year in jail for each of the misdemeanor counts, though attorneys said she will likely be sentenced to community service.
Nelson could also receive fines including investigation costs to the Motion Picture Association of America's anti-piracy office.
Nelson was transferred to Hollywood last year after serving as Harbor station commander until police Chief William Bratton demoted her.
Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com
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