Westside : BILL THEFT
A Santa Monica water department employee has been arrested for allegedly embezzling almost $800 from customers’ water bills.
Christopher Paul Reed, 46, was arrested after police investigated residents’ complaints that they had received non-payment notices despite having paid their bills in cash at the water department.
Reed, whose job title was utility billing supervisor, has been charged with grand theft and embezzlement and falsification of accounts by a public official.
“Investigators looked at the department’s books and they didn’t jibe with what was being deposited,” said Sgt. Gary Gallinot. Reed later told police he had taken money and documents from the water department, Gallinot said.
Police say Reed stole $796 in cash, but the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office is investigating whether additional money was taken.
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