The former San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce president
accused of embezzlement from the organization had a plea hearing
scheduled last week but once again appears headed toward a jury
trial in November.
The former San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce president accused of embezzlement from the organization had a plea hearing scheduled last week but once again appears headed toward a jury trial in November.
Carolyn Roe-Gargiulo, 44, previously had a jury trial put off in late June as her attorney, Greg LaForge, negotiated on a possible plea deal. Her latest appearance for a plea hearing had been scheduled for Aug. 18 at the San Benito County Courthouse before Judge Steven Sanders, but the parties instead set a date for a trial. That trial is set for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 14 in room 201 at the courthouse, with a trial conference beforehand at 9 a.m. Oct. 27, according to records.
The San Benito County District Attorney’s Office in June 2010 charged Roe-Gargiulo, 44, on suspicion of grand theft in connection with accusations of embezzlement from the San Juan chamber. It came months after an investigation by the sheriff’s office.
She pleaded not guilty in July 2010. If convicted, she could spend up to a year in the county jail.
Her jury trial initially had been set for June 27, but the parties agreed to postpone the proceedings for negotiations.
The charge alleges that between Jan. 6 and Jan. 19 of 2009, Roe-Gargiulo – also known as Carolyn Roe – committed the grand theft by embezzlement.
Investigators allege Roe-Gargiulo’s forging of chamber checks lasted about a year until early 2009 and totaled $15,545. Suspicions on the board first arose in June 2009, according to a signed declaration from another former San Juan chamber official.
