being a cop can do wonders for your sex life Original Article Posted on Fri, Sep. 09, 2005 Police officer who was on leave is arraigned By Eric Kurhi STAFF WRITER The attorney for an Oakland police officer suspected of illegally and inappropriately stopping female Asian motorists entered not guilty pleas to seven charges at an arraignment Thursday. Charges were filed last month against Officer Richard Valerga, 51, following a joint, three-month investigation conducted by the Oakland Police Department and the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. During the investigation, it was determined that Valerga illegally pulled over a number of Asian women between January and April 2005, according to police spokeswoman Officer Danielle Ashford. Most of the women were recent immigrants. Court documents show the charges involve six women in separate incidents between January and April. The women were "pulled over for no police purpose" and "detained in Officer Valerga's police vehicle, after requesting to leave." His behavior included "patting" and kissing some of the women, who ranged in age from teens to women in their mid 40s and are described as "attractive," police said. Valerga is facing five misdemeanor counts of violating civil rights and two misdemeanor counts of false imprisonment. Because all the charges are misdemeanors, he was not required to be in court on Thursday. Valerga, who has been with OPD for six years, was placed on administrative leave in May when the current allegations surfaced. His patrol area included parts of the Oakland hills, the Dimond and Laurel districts and the area east of Lake Merritt. Police said there might be victims they do not know about, and ask anyone with information call 510-238-3821. Valerga will return to Alameda County Superior Court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 13. Eric Kurhi can be reached at 510-748-1686 or e-mail ekurhi@cctimes.com. http://www.ktvu.com/news/4949562/detail.html Oakland Police Officer Charged With Illegally Stopping Asian Women POSTED: 11:31 am PDT September 8, 2005 OAKLAND -- An Oakland police officer was arraigned Thursday on multiple counts of misdemeanor interference with civil rights and false imprisonment for allegedly making illegal vehicle stops on Asian women. Richard Valerga, 51, didn't attend his brief hearing in Alameda County Superior Court because his presence was not required to face misdemeanor charges. The next hearing in the case will be on Oct. 13, when a preliminary hearing date is to be set. Valerga was charged two weeks ago following a joint three-month investigation by the Oakland Police Department and the Alameda County district attorney's office. Investigators determined that Valerga made illegal vehicle stops on Asian women between January and April. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that most of the women recently immigrated to the United States and were illegally detained by Valerga, according to Oakland police. Deputy Police Chief Michael Holland said two weeks ago that there were multiple alleged victims but declined to be specific, except to say there were fewer than 10. However, the investigation is ongoing and it's possible that more victims could come forward, Holland said. Holland said Valerga was placed on paid administrative leave in May when allegations were first brought to the attention of the department's command staff. Valerga will remain on administrative leave for the duration of the criminal case against him and an internal administrative investigation being conducted by Oakland police, Holland said. Valerga is charged with five counts of interference of civil rights and two counts of false imprisonment. The officer has been a member of the Oakland Police Department for six years and had been working in the patrol division since 1999. According to his attorney, Paul Brennan, Valerga began his career as a police officer at a late age because he previously had a long career with the U.S. Navy. Copyright 2005 by KTVU.com and Bay City News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.