Story Created:
Aug 19, 2010 at 11:18 AM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 19, 2010 at 11:18 AM PST
PICO RIVERA — The District Attorney’s Office has launched an inquiry into the possible misuse of city-issued credit cards by the former city manager and two assistant city managers.
The inquiry began in March when investigators requested copies of credit card expenditures of former City Manager Chuck Fuentes and Assistant City Managers Jeff Prang and Debbie Lopez.
Prang and Lopez are currently serving as interim city managers while the City Council looks for a permanent manager to replace Fuentes.
According to published reports, the three officials spent nearly $6,000 in 2009 on meals but said they were meeting on city business.
Charges range from $16.47 at Chef’s Coffee Shop on Rosemead Boulevard for meetings with council members to $219.02 at the Dal Rae restaurant for a six-person administrative staff meeting, the Whittier Daily News reported.
The Dal Rae on Washington Boulevard is the most expensive restaurant in town.
“There’s an allegation of misuse of the city-issued credit cards for non-city related purposes,” Deputy District Attorney Sandi Roth told the Daily News. “It’s just an allegation at this point.”
After prosecutors review evidence, they will decide whether to open a full-scale investigation.
Fuentes who was let go in February from his position, denied any wrongdoing.
“I left the city completely solvent, with money in the bank, $30 million in bank bonds that they’re spending for parks and [a renpvated] library,” he told the Daily News. “If anyone begrudges a lousy little lunch or dinner at a local restaurant then tough luck.”
Mayor Gregory Salcido said he didn’t believe the cards have always been used properly, but said there has been improvement.
“City Hall is for city business, not the Dal Rae,” he told the newspaper.
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