The former assistant city manager of La Cañada Flintridge is facing decades in prison after he was charged with stealing almost $200,000 from the city.
Carl F. Alameda, 44, faces 11 counts of embezzlement and 23 counts of insurance fraud, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.
Alameda allegedly sent demand letters to insurance companies between 2016 and 2022 alleging that those companies’ insured drivers crashed into city property, damaging it.
Using city letterhead, Alameda asked for the city to be reimbursed, and he then fabricated invoices and asked for payment to be sent to an address he provided, prosecutors said.
That account, which was allegedly controlled by Alameda, received more than $193,000 in checks.
“It is a major disservice and betrayal of trust when public officials place their own selfish interests over the communities they serve,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. “It undermines faith in our government and sends the wrong message to the public that the people who are supposed to be working for you are corrupt and stealing from you. If you exploit your position for your own greed at the public’s expense, my office will file charges and hold you accountable.”
Alameda pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, and he is due to return to court on July 23.
If convicted as charged, he faces up to 33 years in state prison.
