May 15, 2024 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Former AV Technician For Department of Water and Power Sentenced to Five Years Due to Embezzlement

A former audio-visual technician for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was sentenced Tuesday to five years in state prison for embezzling more than $4 million in public funds.

Thatcus Richard, 65, was also ordered by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Dabney to pay $4.4 million in restitution.

Richard pleaded no contest on March 2 to nine felony counts each of embezzlement by a public officer, public officer crime and conflict of interest, according to Deputy District Attorney Susan Ser. There was no agreement on what kind of sentence he could face.

Between July 1996 and March 2014, Richard — who was in charge of managing video and audio jobs for the utility — enlisted friends to establish audio-visual companies and then helped award LADWP contracts to them, according to the District Attorney’s Office. In return, the companies would subcontract the work to a company owned by the defendant called Top Line Communications.

He was arrested by the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation in June 2015.

As a result of the case, the LADWP began reviewing all of the contracts initiated by its small business units over a five-year period and bolstered training for contract managers. For the first time, the utility also established a vendor-authentication unit to verify the legitimacy of companies with which it does business.

Related Posts

(Video) Hang-Ten Therapeutics Uses Sand, Ocean and Surfboards as a Source of Empowerment

May 15, 2024

May 15, 2024

More Information at hang-tentherapuetics.com @centurycitywestwoodnews Surf therapy is a source of empowerment #therapy #surfing #losangeles #fyp #santamonica ♬ original sound...

FBI and DHS Warn of Potential Threats to LGBTQIA+ Events in June

May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

Foreign Terrorist Organizations Could Target Pride Celebrations The FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are alerting the public to...

Former Riverside Resident to Plead Guilty to Hate Crimes Against Jewish Men

May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

Man Agrees to Face Justice for Pico-Robertson Area Shooting A former Riverside resident who shot and wounded two Jewish men...

Teenage Students Fall Ill After Ingesting Cannabis Edibles on Field Trip

May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

Incident Occurs at La Brea Tar Pits; Students Transported to Hospitals Eight teenage students fell ill during a field trip...

Palmer Candy Company Recalls “White Coated Confectionary Items” Over Salmonella Concerns

May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

Products Distributed in California Stores Pose Potential Health Risk Palmer Candy Company has issued a voluntary recall of its “White...

Exciting Events Await at Brentwood, West LA, and Palisades Libraries

May 13, 2024

May 13, 2024

From Music, Banned Books to Storytime, Here’s What’s Happening The Brentwood Library was buzzing with energy last Saturday as families...

Ex-Fat Brands CEO Faces Federal Charges for $47 Million Scheme

May 13, 2024

May 13, 2024

Alleged Scheme Involves Concealment of $47 Million in Distributions Andrew A. Wiederhorn, the former CEO and current controlling shareholder of...

66 Officers in the Los Angeles County Probation Department Placed on Leave

May 13, 2024

May 13, 2024

Move Aims to Address Allegations of Official Misconduct During Probe The LA County Probation Department has taken action against 66...

Los Angeles County Commission Presents 2022 Hate Crimes Report

May 13, 2024

May 13, 2024

Event to Shed Light on Hate Incidents in LA County and City  The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations...

 Venice Family Clinic’s HEART Gala Raises $2.7 Million, Honors Morleigh Steinberg and U2’s The Edge

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Star-Studded Event Blends Health and Art to Raise Money Artists, philanthropists, and celebrities came together last night for the Venice...

Sony Eyes Purchase of Paramount Global and Selling Iconic Hollywood Lot

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Potential Acquisition Could Reshape Entertainment Landscape There are reports that Sony Group Corporation is considering purchasing Paramount Global which would...

Los Angeles County Issues Beach Closure and Water Use Warning

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Residents Urged to Use Caution Amid Elevated Bacterial Levels The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued an...

Local Pianist to Debut Fully-Orchestrated Elton John Tribute

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Acclaimed pianist Michael Sobie brings his vision and sound to life with the premiere of ROCKET MAN: A Live Orchestral Experience,...

Drake’s Beverly Hills Mansion Hits Market for $88 Million Amidst Rap Beef Drama

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Speculation Arises Over Connection Between Feud and Real Estate Moves Does the rap beef between Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar...

Westside Events: Help Neighbors in Need Donation Drive, Coffee Cupping at Equator Coffee

May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024

Donate at Culver City Fire Department and Attend a Special Coffee Event at the Ivy This weekend, the Culver City...