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Trial Begins For LAUSD Officer Involved In Shooting Hoax

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The trial and testimony began Friday morning for the former Los Angeles Unified School District police officer accused of lying about being shot.

Prosecutors say Jeff Stenroos lied in January when he said he was shot by a burglar near El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills.

Stenroos' claim prompted a large police response and several nearby schools were put on lockdown.

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KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports.

The incident cost the city and the LAUSD more than $400,000.

Stenroos, 30, pleaded not guilty in May to five felony counts and one misdemeanor count, including insurance and workers compensation fraud, planting evidence and filing a false police report.

In August, he waived his right to a trial by jury. If convicted, Stenroos could face up to five years in prison.

He is free on $30,000 bail.

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