UPDATED: Ojai Assistant City Manager Carl Alameda faces embezzlement charges, jail time
This story was updated at 2 p.m. and once again at 3 p.m. May 15th. It will continue to be updated.
Readers — Ojai’s Assistant City Manager Carl Alameda has been charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (L.A. DA) with stealing approximately $200,000 during his previous position as Assistant City Manager for the City of La Cañada Flintridge. He could face up to 33 years in prison. Alameda pled not guilty on Wednesday, May 14th, according to the L.A. DA.
According to Ojai City Manager Ben Harvey, the City of Ojai was unaware of the case against its Assistant City Manager (and his arrest) until today, Thursday May 15th. Alameda served as Acting Ojai City Manager following the dramatic departure of former Interim City Manager Mark Scott in November 2023. Alameda returned to the Assistant City Manager position upon Harvey’s hiring in late January of 2024.
“Until notified through the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office today, the City was unaware that Alameda had been charged with a crime and had entered a not guilty plea to the charges, or that the matter has been set for a preliminary hearing on July 23,” Harvey said via statement.
Alameda has been placed on paid administrative leave, and the City is conducting an internal financial audit, Harvey said. (The full statement is printed at the end of this story). Remember: Alameda is innocent until proven guilty.
According to the L.A. DA, Alameda allegedly sent demand letters to insurance companies using La Cañada Flintridge letterhead, requesting reimbursements for accidents or property damage caused by insured drivers in La Cañada Flintridge. He’s accused of falsifying invoices and directing a total of $193,086 to his own bank account.
“It is a major disservice and betrayal of trust when public officials place their own selfish interests over the communities they serve,” Los Angeles District Attorney Hochman said. “It undermines faith in our government and sends the wrong message to the public that the people who are supposed to be working for you are corrupt and stealing from you. If you exploit your position for your own greed at the public’s expense, my office will file charges and hold you accountable.”
According to Los Angeles County Superior Court records, the case “The People of the State of California vs. Alameda, Carl F.” was filed April 3rd. An arrest warrant for Alameda was filed the same day, according to court records.
Alameda is charged with 11 felony counts of embezzlement and 23 counts of insurance fraud, according to the L.A. DA. He was arraigned May 14th in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Alameda’s LinkedIn profile has been deleted.
Councilwoman Leslie Rule, responding to a request for comment said:
“This is a complete shock to all of us. Mr Alameda has said nothing to me, and I don't believe to City Staff or Council either. Obviously, a deep review of our finances is in order and will take place as soon as possible. We have a very experienced municipal finance director and am confident our review will be thorough and complete.”
Councilwoman Rachel Lang added, “I was personally shocked and saddened by the news. The good news is that we have new employees in our finance department who can look into these issues objectively and professionally.”
The full City of Ojai statement is below:
On May 15, the City of Ojai was made aware that Carl Alameda, Assistant City Manager, was arrested and charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for financial crimes related to his work in his prior role at the City of La Cañada Flintridge. The alleged criminal activity involved insurance fraud and other related acts. Alameda left employment with the City of La Cañada Flintridge in April 2023.
Alameda was hired by the City of Ojai in July of 2023. At the time of his hiring, the City was unaware of any pending investigations or allegations of wrongdoing. The City follows a rigorous hiring process and background check procedure, adhering to all applicable laws, policies and best practices to ensure candidates are qualified and meet the necessary standards at the time of their hiring. Since the investigation was ongoing during the time of his hire, details about the alleged crimes were confidential and not disclosed to the City. Until notified through the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office today, the City was unaware that Alameda had been charged with a crime and had entered a not guilty plea to the charges, or that the matter has been set for a preliminary hearing on July 23.
Mr. Alameda is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The City of Ojai has placed Alameda on immediate paid administrative leave from his employment with the City of Ojai. The City is also conducting its own internal financial audit to ensure there was no financial misconduct through his role as Ojai Assistant City Manager and prior service as Acting City Manager. The City will keep the community updated as the City completes its audit.
The City of Ojai is committed to maintaining public trust and will ensure that all necessary steps are taken to address this matter fully.
This story will be updated. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office press release is below.
if "everyone is innocent until proven guilty...why was it reported that Alameda has been fired from Ojai?