Viles Resigns From School Board Position
A day after pleading no contest to five counts of grand theft and tax fraud in Municipal Court, Robert G. Viles resigned as vice president of the Ventura County Board of Education, Supt. James F. Cowan said Wednesday.
Viles, 58, has admitted stealing more than $100,000 in the early 1990s when he was president of Frank B. Hall & Co., an insurance brokerage house in Oxnard that has since closed.
Although he could receive up to eight years in prison when sentenced June 8, county prosecutors are recommending probation because Viles has repaid all the money.
Viles, who lives in Ventura and graduated from Ventura High School in 1952, had been a board member since July, 1973. Cowan said the board would decide shortly whether to make a provisional appointment to replace Viles or hold a special election.
Viles’ resignation was expected. Under state law, a convicted felon cannot hold public office. Viles could not be reached for comment.
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