Aide to Picus Accused of Theft From Constituent

An aide to Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus was accused Thursday of stealing more than $3,000 from an elderly constituent who had sought help in making a donation to the National Organization for Women in memory of his deceased wife.

Carlotta Z. Olguin, 39, employed by Picus’ office for eight years, surrendered to police Thursday and was booked on suspicion of felony grand theft. She was released from the Van Nuys police station jail after posting $1,500 bail.

She is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Van Nuys Municipal Court and could not be reached for comment.

Olguin, whose job entailed working with senior-citizen groups, had known the victim, 76-year-old Jack Newman, for four years. After the death of his wife, Newman sought Olguin’s help in donating the remainder of his savings account to NOW because his wife had been active with the group, said a spokesman for the Los Angeles district attorney’s office.

On Dec. 9, Olguin allegedly accompanied Newman to a Valley Federal Savings & Loan Assn. branch at 21031 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, where he withdrew $3,134.94 from his account, Deputy Dist. Atty. Edward G. Feldman said. A cashier’s check for that amount was made out to Olguin, endorsed by Olguin and deposited the same day into her account at a Bank of America branch at 8324 Van Nuys Blvd., Panorama City, Feldman said.

No Acknowledgement

Newman repeatedly asked Olguin why he had not received acknowledgement from NOW of the contribution, Feldman said.

“When he didn’t get a satisfactory answer, he thought something was suspicious and went to police,” Feldman said.

Since the incident, Newman has moved from Woodland Hills to Long Beach, Feldman said.

Olguin, whose job included arranging bus transportation for senior citizens in the West San Fernando Valley, was placed on unpaid leave Wednesday, Picus said.

The West Valley councilwoman said police investigators contacted her late Tuesday afternoon to tell her that her employee was suspected of theft.

“I’m concerned and disappointed that someone would use her position to betray a trust,” Picus said, adding that Olguin had taken the day off when the alleged theft occurred.

“She had no authority to assist him outside of my office,” Picus said. Council aides are “absolutely not allowed” to help constituents with personal financial matters, she said.

Investigators believe the incident was isolated, Feldman said.

“We don’t have any motive other than the obvious--that this money was easily available under the circumstances,” Feldman said.