Amador County – The Amador County Chamber of Commerce shuttered its office, laid off its employees and changed its locks Wednesday, as authorities announced that an investigation continues on the former chamber executive director. The Chamber Executive Board met at 2 p.m. Wednesday, then went to the chamber office on Highway 49 in Jackson, to deliver the news that they were laying off their executive director and three other employees, due to financial constraints. Chamber executives - acting President Mark Borchin, Diana Gassaway, Sharon Lungren and Tom Blackman - took down the “open” sign of the chamber office, sent away its employees, including Executive Director Jacqueline Lucido, and two office workers who were present. Early today (Thursday, September 16th) Jackson Police Department issued a press release saying the department had completed its “investigation into allegations that 81-year-old Jacqueline Lucido, executive director for the Amador County Chamber of Commerce, was involved in embezzling the chamber’s money.” Chief Scott Morrison in the release said: “A criminal case and probable cause arrest warrant charging Lucido with the embezzlement of approximately $38,500 was provided the District Attorney’s office on August 12th.” District Attorney Todd Riebe said he would not comment on an ongoing investigation, but he said “an arrest warrant has not been issued in this case.” Morrison said: “After review of thousands of pages of bank documents, no evidence was found to support a claim that Lucido had ever reimbursed the Chamber for purchases she made for personal use.” Morrison said “it was determined that Lucido unlawfully utilized the Visa credit card” that was “obtained in 2003 for official Chamber use by then-Chamber President Paul Molinelli Junior.” The investigation found that Lucido unlawfully used the Visa card from December 2003 to November 2006, and that “Visa purchases for clothing, insurance, flowers, pets, groceries, gasoline and an attorney for her daughter were among approximately $22,500 in personal goods Lucido purchased with the Chamber’s money.” There was “another $11,500, or more, Lucido expended over six years on the Visa’s interest and late payment fee penalties that continued until April of this year.” The investigation also found that Lucido used the “Chamber’s Raley’s credit card for personal groceries” for up to $3,500, although Raley’s could not “provide purchase receipts beyond a year.” The investigation began in April, when it was first found that Visa purchases were made for Lucido’s personal use, and “payments toward the Visa bill were paid from the Chamber’s checking account.” The office was $11,000 behind on rent, and due to the investigation, both the Amador County Supervisors and the Jackson City Council withheld Transient Occupancy Tax funds. The layoffs affected Lucido and three employees, including her daughter Patti Gonsalves, a contractor for the chamber. The Chamber reportedly plans to open an office with non-paid, volunteer staff. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thursday, 16 September 2010 06:19
Amador Chamber lays off Lucido, closes office
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