New Embezzlement, Grand Theft Charges Announced Against Noguez
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles County Assessor John Noguez along with two other co-defendants in a corruption trial were charged Monday with two new counts of embezzlement and grand theft linked to allegations his office reduced property tax assessments for political donors.
KNX 1070's Pete Demetriou reports Noguez, who has served as the county assessor since 2010, was placed on leave in the wake of his arrest last October following a year-long corruption investigation by the District Attorney's office.
New Embezzlement, Grand Theft Charges Announced Against Noguez
Appraiser Scott Schenter, chief appraiser Mark McNeil and campaign contributor Ramin Salari were also arrested as part of the investigation.
The addition of 12 counts of embezzlement and grand theft - some of which date back to 1998 - brings the total Noguez and his co-defendants face to 80 counts.
A preliminary hearing that had been scheduled for Monday was postponed until Jan. 30.
The trial was expected to get underway next year. If convicted, Noguez could face up to 30 years in prison.
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