BIG SUR, Calif - The California Highway Patrol has arrested four Caltrans employees and one former Caltrans employee on multiple charges including theft of state property, overtime fraud and conspiracy at the transportation agency's Willow Springs Maintenance Station.
The CHP says the arrests follow a coordinated investigation by CHP and Caltrans.
According to a CHP press release, in November 2011, after Caltrans management became aware that four employees and one former employee were allegedly falsifying documents to increase their overtime salary and also committing theft of Caltrans property, Caltrans requested the CHP conduct and investigation into potential criminal activities.
Caltrans management and staff aided the CHP and provided support to their investigators throughout the five-month-long investigation.
According to the CHP press release, those arrested are: Danny Millsap, maintenance supervisor; Robert Eskridge, equipment operator; Kevin Liddiard, equipment operator; Angelina Galvan, equipment operator and Phillip Taylor who is retired.
All were arrested on felony charges that include 487(a) PC - grand theft, 182(a) PC - conspiracy and 424(a) PC - theft of public monies.
The CHP says those arrested are being held in the Monterey County Jail on $1 million bail each.
"Caltrans takes the charges against these employees very seriously and is pleased to have worked closely with the CHP throughout the criminal investigation", says Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty, "the actions of these employees are unacceptable and Caltrans is taking immediate and appropriate personnel action that will result in their removal from state service."
