Visalia police captain charged with embezzling money from explorer program

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Visalia police captain has been charged with stealing money from the department's program focused on helping local youth.

On Friday, the Tulare County District Attorney's Office filed charges related to theft and embezzlement against Visalia Police Captain Luma Fahoum.

A criminal complaint shows Fahoum is accused of having embezzled over $58,000 from the Visalia Police Explorer program.

Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar says learned about the allegations against Fahoum in September 2024.

He says he immediately placed Fahoum on administrative leave and asked the district attorney's office to open an independent criminal investigation into the claims against her.

Shortly after charges were filed, Chief Salazar responded to the claims in a video posted to social media.

"As the chief, I am heartbroken and disappointed with what led us to today's criminal filing against Captain Fahoum," Chief Salazar said in the video.

"To our community and especially those who generously invested in our explorer program to benefit the youth in that program, I am deeply sorry."

The complaint also alleges that Fahoum embezzled from San Joaquin Valley College and stole $500 from a local McDonald's.

Fahoum has served with the Visalia Police Department since 1999.

In 2024, she made history as the first woman to become a captain in the department.