Two Charged With Theft in Mural Case

The former director of the Riverside County Regional Medical Center and a pediatric physician have been charged with stealing public funds after the physician was allegedly paid more than a quarter-million dollars to paint murals for the hospital’s children’s ward, authorities said.

Former medical center director Donna Matney, 44, and Dr. Daniel Aldana, 34, were each charged last week with two felony counts of grand theft and three counts of misappropriation of public funds.

“This is not only a violation of the law, but a violation of the public trust as well,” Dist. Atty. Grover Trask said in a written statement. “Matney and Aldana were entrusted with public funds that were designated for the treatment of the sick and indigent citizens of Riverside County.”

Attempts to contact Matney and Aldana were unsuccessful, and a phone call to Matney’s attorney was not returned.

Aldana, former chief of pediatrics at the Moreno Valley hospital, was paid more than $255,000 as a temporary worker to paint 10 murals for the pediatric ward, according to Ingrid Wyatt, spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office. The paintings, created over more than a year, depict lions, polar bears, monkeys and other creatures.

Matney resigned when the allegations came to light in January. The charges, which were brought after a six-month investigation, allege that Matney facilitated the payments as director of the fiscally strapped hospital.

Aldana , who as the county’s former forensic pediatrician has testified in support of the district attorney’s office in high-profile sexual abuse cases involving children, has also left the hospital.

If convicted, Matney and Aldana could face up to seven years in prison.

In addition to the felony counts, prosecutors also sought to freeze the assets of each. If Matney and Aldana are convicted, this will allow prosecutors to seize their savings and property to recoup the funds, authorities said.

County Board of Supervisors Chairman John F. Tavaglione said he was pleased by the announcement.

“The district attorney has taken the proper course of action,” he said. “It’s a very unfortunate circumstance that occurred at the hospital. We -- the county and the Riverside County taxpayers -- deserve a much higher standard than what was put forth by those two individuals.”

The loss of the funds directly affects the care the hospital can provide, he said.

“Ultimately, the indigent are the primary customers,” he said. “In the end, whatever dollars were lost and can’t be recouped will in fact impact them.”