Belinda Exon, the former president of Rehab Financial Services, a Huntington Beach company, plead guilty to the embezzlement of $3.9 million from 23 California cities. Exon’s now-defunct company kept federal housing grant money in escrow meant for city governments for herself to buy land in Arizona and fund two companies for herself.

Exon, who relocated to Phoenix, agreed to a plea agreement in which she pled guilty to one felony count of embezzling money from organizations that receive federal funds. The agreement suggests Exon receive a prison sentence of 3 years and 10 months, and forfeit the property she bought with the embezzled funds. The charge can carry a maximum of 10 years in prison.

According to Exon’s plea agreement, she embezzled than $1,021,000 from San Francisco, $751,000 from Pomona, half a million dollars each from Seal Beach and Huntington Park, and more than $100,000 from Rosemead, Buena Park, and Montebello. Smaller amounts were embezzled from Fullerton, Camarillo, Santa, Cruz, Encinitas, Hemet, and others.

If someone entrusts you with money or property, and you use that money or property for something other than it was originally intended, you are guilty of embezzlement. If you are facing embezzlement charges, your reputation is on the line. Crimes of moral turpitude such as embezzlement can affect your ability to work in places where trust is essential.

It is vital that you have an experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney by your side if you are ever accused of a theft-related crime. At Wallin & Klarich, we’ll guide you through the legal system and get you the best possible result in your case. If you or someone you love has been accused of a crime in California, contact the experienced Southern California embezzlement attorneys at Wallin & Klarich today at 1-888-280-6839 or www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.