The former San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce president
charged on suspicion of embezzlement had her jury trial put off
while her attorney negotiates on a possible plea deal.
The former San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce president charged on suspicion of embezzlement had her jury trial put off while her attorney negotiates on a possible plea deal.
The San Benito County District Attorney’s Office in June 2010 charged Carolyn 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 resulting in a recommendation for the charge, and she pleaded not guilty in July 2010. If convicted, she could spend up to a year in the county jail.
Her jury trial had been set for June 27, but the parties agreed to postpone the proceedings and a plea hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. July 28 at the courthouse. There, she would be set to enter a plea and pay $1,280 in restitution to the district attorney’s office, according to court records.
Her attorney Gregory LaForge said he remains in talks with the prosecution, represented by Deputy District Attorney Omar Rodriguez. LaForge said nothing is set in stone.
“We’re still trying to work it out,” he said.
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, totaling $15,545. Suspicions on the board first arose in June 2009, according to a signed declaration from another former San Juan chamber official. It was included in a lawsuit Gargiulo and that official filed against the organization before its subsequent dismissal.
