Santa Monica Official Accused of Embezzlement
A Santa Monica city official was arrested on charges of embezzlement and grand theft Tuesday after being accused of bilking the city of nearly $400,000 by allegedly making illegal payments to companies he controlled, police said.
Charles M. Cota, 43, was arrested at his office in Santa Monica City Hall, where he is a supervisor in the city’s Risk Claims Department.
Investigators said Cota, of Valencia, wrote settlement checks for claims against the city to four firms he controlled.
The checks totaled $394,000, said Santa Monica Police Lt. Al Bonar.
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