In a stunning development that’s sent shockwaves through California’s political circles, the FBI has arrested two public officials on multiple felony charges including arson, fraud, and perjury.
Live Oak Vice Mayor Aaron Pamma and Unified School District Trustee Simren Pamma stand accused of conspiring with a property owner to set fire to a farmhouse and file a fraudulent $200,000 insurance claim. Investigators allege falsified insurance documents and involvement of a corrupt handyman to pull off the scheme.

The City of Live Oak issued a carefully worded statement acknowledging Aaron Pamma’s arrest but stopped short of offering further details. “The City is monitoring the situation and will continue to assess any developments,” the statement read.

In a public response, Vice Mayor Pamma’s attorney denied any wrongdoing, stating that the charges are “baseless” and that the Pamma brothers would fight them “vigorously” in court.

Butte County DA Mike Ramsey confirmed the probe began with a Cal Fire investigation and has since expanded. He warned more arrests could be imminent, calling it “a months-long investigation” that may expose even deeper layers of the conspiracy.

This case comes on the heels of another high-profile California scandal. The former executive director of the Democratic Party of Orange County, Melahat Rafiei, recently pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges and faces up to 20 years in prison.

As California reels from another political scandal, residents are left wondering just how deep the corruption runs.