BRADBURY : Ex-Official Who Misused Funds Pays City $110,000

Former Bradbury City Manager Aurora (Dolly) Vollaire paid a settlement of $110,000 to the city Tuesday, concluding a civil suit that alleged she embezzled $84,000 by using the municipal credit card and other city accounts to buy personal luxuries.

“We have recovered our losses with interest,” Bradbury Mayor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley said.

Vollaire was fired last spring from the post she had held for two decades after allegations of misspending. A Times investigation showed that Vollaire had used city money to buy such items as personal crystal and china, designer sunglasses and shoes. The city sued Vollaire in November, 1993, seeking to recover the money.

Vollaire pleaded no contest in April to felony counts of misusing public funds and presenting fraudulent claims to the city. She agreed to pay $54,000 restitution to Bradbury, which is included in the civil settlement. She faces a sentencing hearing July 8 on the criminal case.

The civil settlement, reached Monday, saves the city the cost and time of a trial, which could have taken a year to conclude, Bradbury’s attorney Wesley Beverlin said.