Former Gilroy School Board Member Charged With Grand Theft - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

GILROY, Claif.-  A former Gilroy school board member, accused of swindling a charity out of tens of thousands of dollars and lying about public high speed rail meetings.  While Francisco Dominguez faces grand theft charges, investigators said he betrayed the public's trust.  This case may be putting a small road bump in the already controversial high speed rail slated to pass through Gilroy.

Today we went to Gilroy to see what some of Dominguez's former school board members had to say about the charges none-were able to comment.  But Gilroy mom Mindy Laclair is talking loud and clear and said it's cases like this that make her question the integrity of some public officials.

"It is worrisome.  I would hope that there's checks and balances to keep this kind of thing from happening and if there isn't, taking a look at why," Laclair said.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's office said Dominguez was hired last year to work as the middle man between the community and an engineering firm for the high speed rail project. But as it turns out investigators said he billed for meetings he never had.  In a fifteen page report from the DA's office shows Dominguez is also accused of over-billing a charitable organization called South County Collaborative, for about $55,000 dollars.

"I definitely would hope that they're able to look into it and see if there's any truth to the allegations and if so, hold them accountable," Laclair said.

The DA's office said there is a warrant out for Dominguez' arrest.  If convicted, he could face more than three years in jail.