Former Pasadena City Employee Arrested for Allegedly Bilking the City Out of $6.4 Million

[Updated: 4:40 p.m.] Pasadena city officials announced the arrest of a former city employee for allegedly misappropriating funds and embezzling $6.4 million.

Following an investigation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, Danny Wooten, 51, was arrested today, December 30th, and is reportedly being held on a $1.75 million cash bail.

In a letter addressed to city employees, Pasadena City Manager Michael J. Beck says the investigation does not point to any other employees being involved in the scheme, in which Wooten provided the city with almost 300 false invoices.

Beck did note that four other city employees have been placed on administrative leave until a personnel investigation is completed.

According to a press release from the city, “a City audit completed in November documented that Mr. Wooten allegedly provided as many as 296 potentially fraudulent invoices to the City on behalf of four vendors he was affiliated with for check payments in excess of $6.4 million.  The money came from the Underground Utilities Fund that covers the cost of moving overhead power and communications lines underground.”

Fund revenues are provided by an underground surtax charged to electric customers.

“I know our staff is hard working and exhibits honesty and integrity every day, but this theft will challenge the public’s trust we have all worked so hard to build,” says Beck in his letter.  He also urges city employees to follow the, “If you see something, say something,” message to help avoid these cases in the future.

A press release from the District Attorney’s office indicates Wooten was arrested along with Tyrone Collins, 59, and Melody Jenkins, 46.  If found guilty, Wooten may face up to 28 years in state prison, while Collins and Jenkins may face up to 18 and 4 years, respectively.  The three were charged in a 60-count felony complaint that included grand theft, embezzlement, and conflict of interest.

Collins, who owns Collins Electric, is accused of receiving up to $2 million from Wooten while Jenkins, who was a temporary Pasadena City employee, reportedly received up to $40,000 of stolen funds.

Wooten is also suspected of setting up bank accounts in his own name to help funnel city money to two churches with which he is affiliated: the Southern California Evangelist Jurisdiction Center and the New Covenant Christian Fellowship Center in Pomona.

Danny Wooten was a Management Analyst IV in the city’s Public Works department and earned $131,621.87 in 2013 according to www.transparentcalifornia.com.  Wooten worked for the city for 12 years.  It is suspected his alleged criminal activity spanned 10 years, between 2004 and March 2014.

The audit completed in November is now available on the city’s website here.