Posted on 10/02/2009 12:22:44 PM PDT by jazusamo
POMONA - A judge sentenced Xavier Alvarez to five years in prison on Thursday for defrauding the Three Valleys Municipal Water District.
Alvarez, who served on the water district Board of Directors since 2006, also was forced to resign his seat.
Alvarez was convicted of knowingly registering his ex-wife Juanita Ruiz for health benefits with the district from Jan. 24 to Oct. 31, 2007.
"This sends a message to public officials," said Sandi Roth, prosecutor with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Public Integrity Division. "Even if the loss is small, we will not tolerate your actions. It's a warning to all public officials to behave and do your jobs."
Alvarez, who wore a blue Los Angeles County jumpsuit, was silent during the sentencing except to say, "Yes, I do your honor," when asked if he understood the proceedings.
Before the sentencing, Judge Mike Camacho said Alvarez planned in a sophisticated way to commit the felony actions.
"He certainly wasted no time in committing fraud," Camacho said. "It was committed over a period of time until it was disclosed. Only then did Mr. Alvarez try to correct the error."
Alvarez has to pay restitution of more than $4,100 to the water district and other court fees, Camacho said.
Roth said Alvarez would probably serve half of his sentence.
Defense attorney Rodolfo A. Aguirre declined comment when asked if he would appeal.
A perjury charge - which was filed Aug. 31 against Alvarez for allegedly filing a false W-4 form with the district when he was first elected - was dismissed.
An 8 a.m. Monday meeting at the district offices will be held to determine how to fill Alvarez's seat, said Kirk Howie, Three Valleys assistant general manager.
Three Valleys director Brian Bowcock said the sentencing was a big relief.
"Let's move on," Bowcock said. "That's what I'm looking forward to. We can get some normalcy of life. Just do what we're supposed to be doing working on water issues and not things like this."
Alvarez was fined and sentenced to probation in July 2008 for violating the Stolen Valor Act, which criminalizes false claims of military valor. He had falsely claimed that he had received the Medal of Honor. Alvarez was fined and sentenced to perform community service at Loma Linda Veterans Administration Hospital.
Alvarez represented south Pomona on the water board.
Heh... waterboard him.
Do you get a water board seat if you water board terrorists???
He was only slapped on the wrist for claiming to be MOH recipient, he’s going away now.
Are you sure this is Pomona and not Mexicali?
I was born, raised and lived in that area for many years and believe it’s looking more like Mexicali every day.
Falsify claimed the Blue Max? Short rope, long fall!
Have not been back in years but yep I graduated from Arroyo elementary and John Marshall Junior high before moving to San Dimas...its becoming mexicalli in Pomona for sure.
why not just enforce the law...why give warnings?
Here's what this cretinous POS had claimed....
"He said he was a 25-year veteran of the Marine Corps. In 1979, he rescued the U.S. ambassador during the siege of the embassy in Tehran. He was shot twice, hanging from a helicopter, removing the American flag on the way out."
This lowlife POS never served a day in the military. Hanging is too good for such vermin. May he rot in Hell.
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