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Stephanie Clark mugshot
Clark and Compson’s booking photos. Mathison was taken arrested in Los Angeles County.

SACRAMENTO—

Three people have been arrested under suspicion they defrauded the State of California, Attorney General Kamala Harris announced Tuesday.

Michael Mathison, 50, Stephanie Clark, 42, and Danny Gray Compson, 62, were all arrested under charges related to taking bribes, misappropriating taxpayer money and forging documents.

According to a release from the attorney general’s office, Mathison owned Veteran Toners Services, a company that provided Caltrans with office supplies.

A year-long investigation by the attorney general’s office found that Mathison and his business were actually inflating their quotes to Caltrans and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as making up higher quotes from competitors that didn’t even exist.

Mathison’s business was awarded the contract. Employees at the two departments – Clark and Compson – are alleged to have gotten kickbacks for awarding Mathison the contract.

Clark, a Department of Fish and Wildlife employee, took more than 50 bribes over the past five years, the attorney general notes. The bribes amount to $23,800.

Compson, a Caltrans employee, is also alleged to have taken bribes from Mathison.

Clark and Compson, due to their employment with the state, also face charges of embezzlement by a public officer.

Authorities are still investigating the case.