Police Captain Charged with Embezzlement and Theft

District Attorney Tim Ward has announced criminal charges against Visalia Police Department Captain Luma Fahoum, age 51, for financial crimes pertaining to funds utilized for the VPD Police Explorers Post. The charges were filed on April 25, 2025.

Fahoum is charged with felony grand theft by embezzlement, four felony counts of grand theft, and one misdemeanor count of petty theft. It is alleged that Fahoum, who had access to the bank account used for the police explorers and often served as a liaison for donors to the department’s explorer program, stole nearly $50,000 from the account. It is alleged that Fahoum used funds at casinos, gas stations, and retail stores for personal use. The crimes are alleged to have been committed from 2017 to 2023.  

Suspected crimes were reported to the Office of the District Attorney by VPD leadership, and an investigation was formally launched on September 30, 2024, by criminal investigators within the District Attorney’s office. The TCDA Bureau of Investigations assigned an assistant chief, a sergeant, a full-time criminal investigator, and a forensic auditor to the case. To date, TCDA investigators have executed 26 search warrants covering nine financial institutions, as well as internet service providers. One search warrant was conducted at the defendant’s house in Visalia on January 16, 2025, with the assistance of investigators from the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. Additionally, TCDA investigators have obtained records from four casinos located in California, and two casinos located in Las Vegas, Nevada.  

Fahoum traveled to Kern County on the evening of Friday, April 25, 2025, and surrendered herself to the Taft Police Department on an active Tulare County arrest warrant. She was booked and released on $100,000 bail. She is scheduled for arraignment on the charges in Tulare County Superior Court on May 22, 2025.

If convicted on all charges, Fahoum faces up to three years in local jail under Penal Code 1170(h) in addition to restitution. Under current law, these charges are not eligible for a state prison commitment.

This is a continuing investigation. Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the TCDA Bureau of Investigations at 559-636-5410.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494