bloodrayne
09-02-2004, 06:39 AM
Ex-Mayor Accused Of Raiding Till To Pay Psychic
LA GRULLA - Former Mayor Diana Cortez and a former city bookkeeper were arrested Tuesday on embezzlement charges accusing them of using federal funds to pay for thousands of dollars worth of psychic consultations.
Cortez, 48, and Sandra Lopez, 45, are to appear for arraignment Friday in federal court in McAllen.
The Aug. 12 indictment unsealed Tuesday alleges that Cortez and Lopez used money from the city's general fund account to pay a psychic about $53,700 for consultations that included the use of tarot cards.
Cortez was mayor from May 2001 to May 2003 and Lopez was bookkeeper during her administration. She was responsible for accounts receivable.
The indictment alleges the women signed and approved fake invoices, vouchers, work orders and contract agreements to hide the expenditures. Federal prosecutors said the documents outlined payments to businesses that did not exist for items and services the city didn't receive, The (McAllen) Monitor reported in its Wednesday editions.
If convicted, the women could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
LA GRULLA - Former Mayor Diana Cortez and a former city bookkeeper were arrested Tuesday on embezzlement charges accusing them of using federal funds to pay for thousands of dollars worth of psychic consultations.
Cortez, 48, and Sandra Lopez, 45, are to appear for arraignment Friday in federal court in McAllen.
The Aug. 12 indictment unsealed Tuesday alleges that Cortez and Lopez used money from the city's general fund account to pay a psychic about $53,700 for consultations that included the use of tarot cards.
Cortez was mayor from May 2001 to May 2003 and Lopez was bookkeeper during her administration. She was responsible for accounts receivable.
The indictment alleges the women signed and approved fake invoices, vouchers, work orders and contract agreements to hide the expenditures. Federal prosecutors said the documents outlined payments to businesses that did not exist for items and services the city didn't receive, The (McAllen) Monitor reported in its Wednesday editions.
If convicted, the women could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.