Water Official Pleads Not Guilty to Theft
An Ojai Valley water district official pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a felony charge of utility theft for allegedly stealing more than $1,300 worth of water for his rental home and horse-boarding business.
Ron Singleton, general manager of the Meiners Oaks County Water District, is charged with a single count of theft of utility services.
During a brief appearance in Ventura County Superior Court, he waived his right to a speedy trial, and a pretrial conference was set for Sept. 14. Singleton, 60, remains free on $5,000 bail.
Prosecutors say the defendant leased land on South La Luna Avenue in Ojai, where he lived and operated a horse-boarding stable. Two water meters on the property had not measured usage for more than two years, and documents seized from the district office showed no proper billing occurred during that time, authorities said.
Prosecutors allege Singleton used his position as district manager to prevent the utility agency from billing him accurately. He has denied the accusations.
If convicted, Singleton could face up to three years in prison.
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