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Stenroos Repays City For LAUSD Shooting Hoax Days Before Release From Jail

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A former police officer for the Los Angeles Unified School District who was convicted for lying about being shot will soon be a free man.

KNX 1070's Jon Baird reports Jeff Stenroos' release from jail comes just after his family writes a big check for restitution in his case.

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Stenroos appeared at a restitution hearing at the Van Nuys Courthouse on Monday where attorneys informed the judge that family members have apparently repaid the city for over $300,000 in expenses incurred when the LAPD launched a massive manhunt after Stenroos reported he had been shot by a burglary suspect back in January of last year.

Deputy District Attorney Paul Nunez is pleased that Stenroos has taken financial responsibility for the incident that involved as many as 500 officers.

"He is making full restitution for the figure that the city of L.A. has submitted for the cost of his hoax," said Nunez.

"I'm not condoning what he did, but we all make mistakes," said Kip Leland, Stenroos neighbor. "His family rallied together and they paid a debt and I'm sure they're going to continue to pay more debts."

"This ruse that was created by this former police officer from the School Police, embarrassed law enforcement and embarrassed himself. And [it] caused us a lot of money and caused anguish to the people and the students," L.A. Councilman Dennis Zine said.

Stenroos was expected to be released on bail within the next 48 hours and was not expected to return to jail.

Stenroos will be re-sentenced next month likely to time served.But he could face additional restitution bills.

"It's not over for him financially. He can still have additional claims against him," Zine said.

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