VENTURA, Calif. — A former high-ranking compliance official for the Ventura County Health Care Agency is facing felony criminal charges after allegedly engaging in an illicit self-dealing scheme that funneled over $222,000 in public contracts directly to a consulting business owned and operated by his wife.
The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Charles Edward Flood IV of Joliet, Illinois, was taken into custody on Friday afternoon by Illinois State Troopers following an out-of-state law enforcement response. Authorities confirmed that Flood is currently awaiting extradition back to Southern California, where deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will transport him to face formal prosecution in Ventura County Superior Court.
According to formal court filings released by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Flood has been charged with two felony counts of conflict of interest in violation of California Government Code Section 1090(a). In addition to the primary felony counts, prosecutors have filed special aggravating allegations citing California Rules of Court 4.421(a)(11), asserting that Flood exploited a position of public trust and confidence to execute the unauthorized financial transfers.
Alleged Conflict of Interest and Unapproved Payouts
The criminal complaint details that Flood’s tenure as Compliance Officer with the Ventura County Health Care Agency began in 2022. In his official administrative capacity, Flood was entrusted with comprehensive oversight over internal regulatory standards, revenue integrity audits, physician contract reviews, privacy protocol enforcement, and HIPAA compliance protocols across the county’s medical system.
As part of his routine administrative responsibilities, Flood maintained the authority to retain third-party professional consulting firms to execute independent regulatory audits on behalf of Ventura County. Prosecutors contend that Flood utilized this official discretionary power to award county service contracts to AM Berry Consulting LLC (AMBC), a commercial entity owned, operated, and managed by his wife.
Investigators from the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit revealed that Flood failed to disclose his marital relationship or personal financial interest to health agency executive leadership before or during the execution of the contracts. Over a 16-month period spanning from June 2023 through October 2024, Flood continuously assigned official compliance tasks to his wife's firm, reviewed and approved work invoices submitted by the business, and authorized direct county disbursements totaling $222,910.
"Public employees are entrusted with safeguarding taxpayer dollars and making decisions solely in the public's interest," District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated in an official release detailing the public corruption charges. "The allegations in this case describe a blatant and egregious violation of that trust. When a public employee is accused of secretly steering public funds to his own spouse's business, it undermines confidence in government and must be met with the full force of the law."
Anonymous Hotline Tip Unravels the Scheme
The alleged self-dealing operation remained undetected until October 30, 2024, when an anonymous whistleblower submitted a detailed report through the Ventura County Employee Fraud Hotline. The tip triggered an internal administrative review, prompting county leadership to launch a formal inquiry alongside auditing personnel.
Following initial investigative findings, the County of Ventura formally severed its vendor agreement with AM Berry Consulting LLC on February 3, 2025. Six days later, on February 9, 2025, county officials officially terminated Flood’s employment. The Ventura County Auditor-Controller’s Office subsequently referred the evidentiary findings to law enforcement authorities for criminal investigation.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Chong-hwa Lee of the Public Integrity Unit, who is assigned to prosecute the case, noted that the legal proceedings highlight the essential role internal oversight mechanisms play in exposing municipal corruption.
"The allegations demonstrate why robust internal reporting mechanisms and independent public integrity investigations are essential to maintaining government transparency," prosecutor representatives noted regarding the ongoing criminal proceedings. "When officials bypass mandatory disclosure rules for personal gain, law enforcement must step in to protect public resources and ensure full legal accountability."
Next Steps in Extradition and Arraignment
Following his arrest in Illinois, Flood remains held in local custody while extradition arrangements are finalized. Once returned to Ventura County, he will be booked into the Ventura County Main Jail pending his initial court appearance and formal arraignment in Department 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court.
If convicted on the felony conflict of interest counts and associated special allegations, Flood faces potential state prison time, mandatory restitution penalties, and a permanent ban from holding public office or municipal employment in the State of California.
County officials encourage residents or municipal employees who suspect public corruption, municipal fraud, or misuse of taxpayer funds to submit confidential reports to the Ventura County Employee Fraud Hotline or contact the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit directly.