Pasadena Residents Demand Answers After City Employee Allegedly Embezzles $6.4M
PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — Residents who turned out for a Pasadena City Council meeting Monday night were fighting mad. They called on councilmembers to explain how a public works manager allegedly could filch millions of dollars from the city – $6.4 million, to be exact – and how no one noticed for 11 years.
"I'm a taxpayer in this city. And I'm mad as hell."
The words of resident Brian Weiss rang loud and clear through the City Council chambers as local activists and curious observers reacted to the news that all that money was missing from a city fund earmarked for moving power lines underground.
It didn't help things that they were made to sit through what many called a droning, hour-long Powerpoint presentation, given by City Manager Michael Beck and two other city employees, that shed little light on how the theft occurred.
"These mind-numbing Powerpoint presentations, with the i-charts in them, are impossible to follow, and they don't solve the problem," a resident said.
Weiss said, "As long as Mr. Beck sits in that seat, and remains as the city mis-manager, I will personally, and I will encourage my fellow citizens, to oppose any kind of vote that requires taxpayer approval for additional funding in this city – period."
His comments were met with applause.
An investigation by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office led to the arrest of Danny Ray Wooten, a public works manager, and two city employees, 55-year-old Tyrone Collins and 46-year-old Melody Jenkins. They were taken into custody last Tuesday and charged with committing 60 counts of embezzlement and other alleged violations.
Wooten is suspected of setting up bank accounts in his name and directing city funds to two churches he was affiliated with – the Southern California Evangelist Jurisdiction Center and the New Covenant Christian Fellowship in Pomona.
The missing funds were discovered earlier this year when the city of Pasadena ordered an audit.
The Daily News reported Monday that two of the defendants in this case, both city employees, are working on a possible plea deal with prosecutors and may get a court date as soon as Tuesday.
Councilmember Jacque Robinson says she's angry too: "I think I speak for the entire City Council in saying we were all shocked and feel betrayed that something of this magnitude could happen in this city."
Beck tried to make conciliatory efforts amid the backlash: "We can and we will restore the trust Pasadena residents have in their government."
RELATED STORY: Ex-Pasadena City Employee Accused Of Embezzling $6.4M Over 10 Years
