SANTA PAULA, Calif.–The former manager of a small credit union here has pleaded guilty to stealing more than a quarter-million dollars.
Tina Louise Torres, 55, who previously led was known as Limoneira FCU but which is now called Valley Agricultural FCU, pleaded guilty to four counts of grand theft, two counts of forgery, and four counts of grand theft-embezzlement, according to prosecutors.
In addition, Torres admitted to nearly four-dozen special allegations that were filed by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office in a charging document that is 14 pages long, KTVA reported.
According to the plea agreement, the remaining charges and special allegations listed on the charging document will be dismissed at the time of sentencing, the report added.
Crimes Over a Three-Year Period
According to prosecutors, between 2016 and 2019 Torres stole more than $250,000 from the credit union and also altered or forged documents to hide her thefts. She was fired in August of 2019 when the crimes were discovered, and arrested in June of 2023 in Ojai, Calif. and booked into the Ventura County Jail with bail set at $40,000, prosecutors said.
Awaiting Sentencing
Torres posted bail and was released the same day. She remains free on bail and is due back in court on April 3rd to face sentencing, KTVA reported.
The $5-million credit union has approximately 1,800 members.
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