A former San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce board member is
accused of felony embezzlement and forgery charges in connection
with the suspected theft of more than $15,000, the San Benito
County Sheriff’s Office announced today.
A former San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce board member is accused of felony embezzlement and forgery charges in connection with the suspected theft of more than $15,000, the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office announced today.
The sheriff’s office on Thursday forwarded a report to the district attorney recommending one count of embezzlement and 156 counts of forgery, said Detective Sgt. Tom Keylon with the local sheriff’s office. The office released a press statement after a Free Lance inquiry today about the case’s status.
Investigators allege the former board member – authorities are not releasing the name until charges are potentially filed – forged checks that totaled $15,545 over about a year’s time until early 2009, Keylon said.
The sheriff’s office investigation began in August when the chamber board requested a meeting because the organization had been missing money, Keylon said. The detective confirmed the former member suspected of the charges was not in attendance at that meeting.
Investigators’ probe after several months was stalled temporarily, the detective said, because chamber officials had been examining whether it was appropriate to seek civil or criminal action.
District Attorney Candice Hooper could not be reached immediately for comment.
