Buena Park city employees charged with embezzling $822,000

Two men could face life in prison if convicted of embezzling more than $822,000 from the city of Buena Park during their time as city employees, the Orange County district attorney’s office said Tuesday.

Rudolph P. Juarez, 56, of Anaheim, who worked as the maintenance manager at the city’s parks and decreation department, and Gabriel A. Garcia, 40, of Chino Hills, a department supervisor, face multiple felony counts of stealing public funds and filing false tax returns.

From 2005 to 2011, authorities said, the men billed the city for landscaping, maintenance and janitorial work under false names -- including long-departed city employees -- and channeled the money into their personal bank accounts.

The men were arrested Tuesday and are being held on $822,00 bail.

They must prove their bail money was legally obtained, prosecutors said.

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christopher.goffard@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATChrisGoffard