Alhambra School Board Head Faces Theft Charges

Alhambra school board President Stephen R. Perry, a veteran Alhambra police officer, appeared in court Friday to face felony embezzlement charges after authorities accused him of forgery and theft of more than $30,000 from the local police officers association.

Perry, 33, is charged with grand theft of Alhambra Police Officers Assn. funds between September 1992 and August 1993, as well as forging a letter to cover up the alleged misuse of funds while he was the organization’s president.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard A. Rosenthal said Perry could serve up to 3 years and 8 months behind bars if found guilty. In Los Angeles Municipal Court on Friday, Perry’s preliminary hearing was delayed until June 7.

Perry, a member of the Alhambra school board since 1988, voluntarily surrendered to authorities March 27 and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. He is free on his own recognizance and continues to preside over school board meetings.

“I was very surprised,” said Perry of the charges, which he says are politically motivated. Perry declined to discuss the case further, as did his attorney.

Rosenthal called that allegation unfounded.

Meanwhile, Alhambra school district officials say faculty and parent leaders are aware of the felony charges but have no plans to change Perry’s status on the board.

“We believe this will be dealt with through the justice system. His service as a school board member isn’t compromised, and it has no bearing on the case,” Supt. Richard Keilhacker said. “It’s an allegation at this point.”

However, the Alhambra Police Department has placed Perry, a 12-year veteran, on administrative leave pending the case’s outcome, police said.

He is suspected of taking $31,350 in association funds for his own use. Of those funds, $14,000 was deposited into his flower business bank account, another $9,100 into his personal checking account, and $3,750 appeared to have been cashed, according to a Sheriff’s Department search warrant affidavit.

In late 1994, according to the affidavit, Perry admitted to police association board members that he misused $24,500 in association funds and then repaid that amount.

Authorities allege that after his police colleagues became suspicious, Perry tried to cover up the theft in December 1993 by fabricating a letter from an official at Las Encinas Hospital, a Pasadena psychiatric facility.

According to the affidavit, the letter falsely indicated that $21,450 in association funds were used for the substance abuse treatment of an Alhambra police officer.