4 Current, Former Irwindale Officials Charged With Embezzlement

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Four current and former Irwindale city officials have been charged with embezzlement after they allegedly spent nearly $200,000 in city money on lavish trips to New York.

Los Angeles county prosecutors announced the charges Wednesday against current councilmen Mark Breceda and Manuel Garcia, and former councilwoman Rosemary Ramirez and retired finance director Abe De Dios.

Between 2001 and 2005 the four traveled to New York for up to six days at a time, saying they were trying to get a higher bond rating for Irwindale.

Prosecutors allege that during one trip, the four stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, saw musicals, attended baseball games and racked up $12,000 in limousine bills.

They are each charged with misappropriation of public funds, embezzlement and conflict of interest.

Arraignment was set for Sept. 11.

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