SALINAS, Calif. -- Salinas Police say the embezzlement involves a civilian city employee that has been at the department for the past six years. Police say several thousand dollars in public funds have been taken.
A tip led police to investigate the issue. Soon after they arrested 32 year old Joseph Castro of Salinas. Police say Castro worked at the station's front desk for the last four years. One of his job duties was releasing impounded cars and collecting fees related to those vehicles' release. Police say discrepancies in the collection fees is what prompted the investigation.
He was arrested Thursday afternoon, October 19th 2012. Officers are still investigating, they are doing an on-going and more extensive audit of other documents related to the case.
Castro was placed on administrative lead after he was arrested. He was taken to the Monterey County Jail and booked on embezzlement charges, falsifying public documents, forging public documents, grand theft and other felony charges.
