King City's former police chief accepted a plea deal Wednesday, pleading no contest to embezzlement and obstructing a peace officer by lying to investigators—both misdemeanor counts.
A Monterey County Jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on felony charges against 50-year-old Dominic Baldiviez, so the deal was offered to avoid a re-trial, according to Monterey County District Attorney Dean D. Flippo.
Baldiviez and several police officers were part of a corruption investigation regarding a towing scheme. To date, five have admitted guilt and only one case remains to be tried.