2 Oakland police helicopter pilots accused of falsifying certifications to obtain licenses

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Newly unsealed documents describe an alleged scheme in which two Oakland police helicopter pilots falsified their certifications.

The two men are accused of conspiring with an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector to fake tests and applications to get their pilot licenses.

The indictment also alleges one of the officers tried to change flight records to cover his tracks and obstruct the federal investigation.

MORE: Oakland police on track to exit federal oversight by September, judge says

"We take these allegations seriously and are cooperating with outside law enforcement agencies as they conduct their investigation. The employees in question were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case," said Oakland Police Chief James Beere said in a video posted online.

This comes less than three weeks before a critical hearing on whether federal court oversight of the Oakland Police Department should come to an end.