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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | OCTOBER 2020 7 financial records of charities, post-secondary schools, health clubs, pawn shops, and professional fundraisers. He set up the necessary processes to deter or prevent any types of fraud in Utah. "One of the most rewarding prosecutions I was involved in was against a bad helicopter flight school," Cooley said. It collected $100,000 from 500 students who each needed 250 hours of flight time to get their license and a lucrative job. With only six working hours a day for their one helicopter, there was no realistic way for them to provide the education they had promised. When Cooley investigated, it was proven that they took in $50 million. Cooley investigated dozens of charities, banks, schools, foundations, etc., all with reasonable and seemingly needy causes or opportunities for people to invest their money. He is responsible for uncovering millions of dollars in financial fraud as well as recovering millions of dollars for consumers. In some instances, he prosecuted cases in administrative law courts handling the entire process from citation through trial. In others, his reports were forwarded to state and local prosecutors who brought the criminal cases to court where he testified many, many times. One of his rewarding duties has been helping organizations set up proper financial records and reporting, thus preventing opportunities for fraud or embezzlement by good people who are unaware of the financial pitfalls. It may seem surprising that Cooley was able to become such an important investigator who has worked with attorneys general from many states. He had a rough childhood, leaving home at an early age and getting married at 19, but due to his own ability, perseverance and ambition, he was able to earn a degree in law enforcement where he worked for many years until he decided he wanted a different work environment. He returned to college and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Accounting and a Master of Business Administration at Westminster College of Salt Lake City. He has traveled to most states and has enjoyed finding lighthouses with his wife of 50 years and his two children and four grandkids. Cooley has not stopped serving the public. Since moving to Four Seasons Beaumont, he has volunteered with the Beaumont City Audit and Finance Committee. Under his chairmanship, the city implemented significant financial changes and implemented internal controls to prevent fraud by city employees and officials. He also served on the Board of Directors for San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital which serves the entire Pass Area. Currently, Steve serves our community as chair of the Architectural Review Committee and treasurer of the Canine Corral Council.

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