A Hollister woman is suspected of embezzling thousands of dollars from the local chapter of a nonprofit that rescues Australian cattle dogs, according to court records.
Idalia R. Borges is set for an arraignment hearing Sept. 10 at the San Benito County Courthouse.
Earlier this month, the San Benito County District Attorney’s Office charged Borges on suspicion of stealing an undisclosed amount of money from the Australian Cattle Dog Rescue nonprofit organization. She was accused of five felony theft counts for each year – between 2007 and 2012 – in which police allege a charge that she stole at least $950 annually from the organization.
Organization officials allege Borges stole a total of around $60,000.
According to its website, Australian Cattle Dog Rescue, Inc. rescues and adopts out purebred Australian cattle dogs in the U.S. and Canada from animal shelters, humane societies, pounds and owners who can no longer keep them.
The allegations involving Borges came to light earlier this year, while the Hollister Police Department conducted an investigation and submitted a report to the district attorney.
The district attorney’s office has sent a letter to the suspect advising her to turn herself in. Lt. Edward Escamilla of the San Benito County Jail said as of Tuesday, Borges had not voluntarily booked herself into custody.
Deputy District Attorney Patrick Palacios is handling the case and declined to comment before the case heads to court proceedings.
Borges’ case is just the latest in a string of embezzlement cases in San Benito County in recent years such as those involving the San Juan chamber of commerce, the Hollister Heat softball league, and the Hollister and sheriff’s police unions.
Palacios said he doesn’t know if there is a trend with embezzlement in the community, but there is usually a common thread in such cases.
“You’ve got someone who’s in a position of trust and usually some authority within an organization,” Palacios said.
Borges could not be reached immediately for comment.
