The new executive director of the seasonal homeless shelter on Southside Road was convicted three years ago of embezzling from the Hollister Heat softball organization.
Homeless Coalition of San Benito County leaders were aware of her past when they pursued a new executive director to run the seasonal shelter in the organization’s last season overseeing the facility, said Emery Smith, a coalition board member.
The shelter runs November to March and recently opened for the season.
“We have addressed the question,” said Smith, noting how coalition leaders examined the issue when picking the new director in late summer.
Smith went on about Diaz, whose husband is a pastor at the Sunnyslope Christian Center: “We feel she’s the perfect person for it.”
The former treasurer of the Hollister Heat softball organization was charged in June 2012 alleging she embezzled thousands of dollars from the Hollister Heat group between May 2009 and June 2011, according to court records and authorities.
She initially pleaded not guilty to felony charges alleging embezzlement of more than $400, grand theft of personal property, and passing a fictitious check.
She agreed to a plea deal and entered the no contest plea in October 2012. She was sentenced to 120 days in county jail. She was also ordered to pay $32,716 in restitution and a $2,101 fine, according to court records.
Police at the time alleged Diaz had access to the Heat’s money because she had been the treasurer, a position she held for three years.
Smith on Thursday said Diaz would not have access to any of the organization’s money. He did add how Diaz was on the coalition “team to figure out who would be the right people to ask for donations this year.”
Smith said a coalition panel to find a manager included himself, County Supervisor Robert Rivas and Gary Byrne, executive director of the Community Foundation For San Benito County.
Diaz could not be reached immediately.
Look back for more.
