Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer Blog

As the Bell corruption trial got under way this week, many wonder if the man accused of an elaborate embezzlement scheme is really the victim of overzealous prosecution. Robert Rizzo, Bell's former city manager, was paid $1.5 million a year in salary to run the city. He is charged with 50 counts of alleged white-collar crimes including misappropriating public funds, conflict of interest and falsifying public records.

If you have been charged with any California crime, such as fraud or embezzlement, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to begin investigating the allegations against you and preparing your defense. Sometime what seems like a strong case falls apart after a skilled Los Angeles defense attorney points out flaws and presents alternative explanations.

Here evidence suggests that Rizzo really is a victim - the city council legally approved the salary at the center of the prosecution. As with many criminal prosecutions, as more facts come forward, doubt is raised concerned the illegality of the accused's actions.

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The Orange County Daily Pilot reports that the Los Angeles County district attorney has postponed the arraignment of the former Beverly Hills Unified School District Superintendent on felony charges of embezzlement.

During an arraignment, a defendant makes his or her first appearance in court. The court will formally advise you of the charges against you and your constitutional rights.

Here, the former superintendent is accused of giving another employee an unauthorized stipend of $20,000 and an increase in her car allowance. The employee is also accused of "misappropriation of funds." Misappropriation of funds or embezzlement, is punishable as either a felony or misdemeanor. Because the sum is over $400, it will be charged as a felony.

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KTLA reports that seven Riverside County employees have been accused of stealing more that $500,000 from a fund for needy children. They have been charged with embezzlement, grand theft and fraud. Embezzlement is defined as the "fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted." An embezzlement conviction requires proof that the defendant did not own the property.

Here, the District Attorney has alleged that the county workers diverted funds from the government to relatives and family members for several years. Prosecutors claim the money was then used to go on elaborate vacations. If convicted, the suspects face 5 to 7 years.

In many instances, charges of embezzlement can be explained by errors in accounting or inaccurate reporting. An experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney can analyze the facts of any alleged embezzlement scheme and determine possible defenses. In some cases, early intervention of an embezzlement defense lawyer can result in a civil compromise and avoid a criminal conviction and penalties.

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L.A. Times reports that a California narcotics agent has been charged with stealing money from drug suspects. Los Angeles prosecutors charged a 35-year-old man who worked for the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement with two counts of embezzlement and grant theft in the amount of $33,000.

The man pleaded not guilty.

In California, theft of an object (or money) valued at $400 or greater is considered a felony and punishable by up to one year in jail or 3 years in a state prison.
Embezzlement is defined as the "fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted." Penalties for embezzlement include time in a state prison, community service, fines, and restitution.

With any charges of theft or embezzlement, contacting an experienced L.A. criminal defense attorney is critical. By conducting a thorough investigation, a knowledgeable attorney may be able to show weaknesses in the prosecution's case, as well as potential accounting errors or other forensic evidence that can lead to charges being dismissed.

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The Sun reports that San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Palmdale resident on charges of embezzlement.

According to The Sun, a woman who worked for Canteen Correctional Services allegedly embezzled more than $720,000 between January 2005 and February 2010. While the incident is still under investigation, police reports reveal that when Sheriff's deputies were conducting an unrelated investigation, the alleged defendant quit, took paperwork and deleted files from her computer.

Embezzlement is a form of theft, commonly known as employee theft or employee fraud. California Penal Code section 503 defines embezzlement as "the fraudulent appropriated of property by a person to who it has been entrusted."

Embezzlement can take many forms, including but not limited to, stealing goods from your employer, spending from client funds, altering account information, records or receipts to conceal a theft, and creation of phantom employees or accounts.

Although the facts and circumstances of this case are unknown, any charges of embezzlement are serious. Where the amount embezzled exceeds $400, defendants are typically charged with felony embezzlement, a charge that carries a minimum 16 months in State Prison if convicted.

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