Skydiving Instructor Jailed for Fraud at Notorious California Center

Robert Pooley sentenced to two years for falsifying credentials at a facility linked to 28 deaths since 1985.

Robert Pooley was found guilty of wire fraud for using a colleague's digital signature to falsely certify over 100 skydiving instructors.
Pooley's fraudulent activities took place at the Lodi Parachute Center, which has been associated with 28 fatalities since its opening.
In 2016, two individuals died during a tandem jump involving an instructor trained by Pooley, though he was not charged in their deaths.
Victims of Pooley's scheme, who paid approximately $1,100 for invalid courses, have been denied refunds.
The Lodi Parachute Center's operations highlight regulatory gaps, with certification primarily managed by a private lobbying group.