Ex-LA Sheriff’s Deputy Pleads Guilty to Extortion Scheme Involving Crypto ’Godfather’
Michael David Coberg, a former Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy, admitted to federal charges of conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy against rights. His crimes were committed in partnership with Adam Iza, a fraudulent crypto entrepreneur who styled himself as a 'Crypto Godfather.'
The scheme involved armed extortion, staged drug arrests with planted narcotics, and systematic abuse of police authority. Coberg Leveraged his position to interrogate victims, orchestrate false arrests, and intimidate rivals on behalf of Iza's now-defunct trading platform, Zort.
Prosecutors revealed Coberg collected at least $20,000 monthly for his role in the operation. The case highlights an alarming intersection of law enforcement corruption and crypto-related crime.
