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'Concerned Citizen': OC Sheriff's Helicopter Pilot Took Girlfriend On Joyride

SANTA ANA (CBS) — Orange County officials have launched an investigation after receiving an anonymous letter claiming a sheriff's helicopter crew member took his girlfriend on a joyride.

KNX 1070's Mike Landa reports Supervisor John Moorlach was one of the recipients of the letter signed only as "Concerned Orange County Citizen".

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"To whom it may concern: I was shocked to find out the Orange County Sheriff's supervisor of the helicopter crew took his girlfriend on a taxpayer-funded flight around Orange County," the letter read.

"Please look into this matter to prevent any further waste of taxpayers' money," the letter continued. "We should not be funding joyrides in a Orange County Sheriff's Department helicopter."

The costs of operating a sheriff's department helicopter is estimated at approximately $1,000 per hour.

Moorlach said the letter did not offer any evidence to support the charges.

"If it's true, then we deal with it, if it's not, it's malicious and we bit on a prank," he said.

Sheriff's spokesman John McDonald said the department has opened up an internal affairs investigation.

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