San Luis Obispo Corruption

Sept 2004

California: DSS worker sentenced for embezzlementAccording to sources, the DSS worker named in this article is the same one that lied claiming not to have received Dr. Baughman's report in support of returning Diane Booth's son Vincent to her. -LJM Sisters sentenced for embezzlement
By: Amy Jacobs Two Central Coast women are headed to jail for embezzling thousands of dollars from the Department of Social Services in San Luis Obispo County. Angela Sanchez and her sister, Loretta Solano, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $14,000. Prosecutors say Sanchez, a former employee of the department, and her sister took the money over a four-year period. "Sanchez was in a position to help those that were in the most need of our help in her role at the department of social services," says prosecutor Steve Von Dohlen. "But she and her sister manipulated this vital system for their own personal benefit." Investigators found the money was deposited into the bank accounts of both Sanchez and Solano, and records show that a significant amount of money was taken out of the accounts at an ATM machine at the Chumash Casino. "Her indication was that she was withdrawing money there not for use as fruits from the crime but instead to establish a record for future tax reporting purposes," says Von Dohlen. "What implications that may have down the road remain to be seen." Judge Michael Duffy told the women they betrayed the public trust, which is something the court takes very seriously. He sentenced Sanchez to 270 days in jail, while her sister will spend 90 days in jail, and both women also received five years probation. The sisters will serve their jail time separately; Loretta Solano will report to jail on October 1, and Angela Sanchez will start her sentence on December 30.