Pasadena Plans Court Action to Recover Embezzled Millions

The City of Pasadena began an important step to get back the $6.4 million embezzled by an ex-city employee.

Mayor Bill Bogaard announced at the opening of Monday’s City Council meeting that city officials plan to file a civil lawsuit to recover the lost funds and form an ad hoc committee comprised of City Council members who will probe the case.

Bogaard said there also be a citizens’ task force which will also consider if a review of the city’s 131 separate funds is needed in an effort to ensure no other city funds are being abused. The $6.4 million was lost through an obscure utility fund, which was uncovered in December.

Members of the citizens’ task force, which will meet publicly, have yet to be appointed. City council members John Kennedy, Victor Gordo, Steve Madison and Margaret McAustin will make up the ad hoc committee.

“The council received legal advice from our attorneys. As a result of the discussion instructions were given to the city attorney to pursue and retain outside counsel and pursue prompt and full recovery of losses and damages city has suffered,” Bogaard said.

Danny Ray Wooten, 51, a management analyst in the city’s Public Works Department, Tyrone Collins, 55, of Altadena and Melody Jenkins, 46, of Pasadena, were arrested in December and charged with 60 felony counts of felony counts of conflict of interest, misappropriation of public funds, grand theft and embezzlement.

Wooten is being held in lieu of $1.75 million bail. Collins’ bail is $900,000. Jenkins has been released from custody. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Jan 21.