Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Former Parlier Unified Superintendent Arrested for Embezzlement
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 6 years ago on
January 4, 2019

Share

After a nearly two-year investigation, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office charged a former Parlier Unified School District superintendent with felony embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds.
The DA’s office said in a news release Friday morning that Gerardo G. Alvarez stole from the school district’s “Sunshine Club” account.

“This sends a clear message that when the public entrusts a school district with its money, there is accountability for it.” — Jim Yovino, superintendent of Fresno County schools
If convicted, Alvarez could face up to four years in prison.
“This sends a clear message that when the public entrusts a school district with its money, there is accountability for it,” said Jim Yovino, superintendent of Fresno County schools.
“District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp’s team has done a very thorough job of investigating this situation, and I look forward to seeing what the results are.”
 
Fresno County Jail booking photo of Gerardo Alvarez
Gerardo G. Alvarez

Alvarez Served as Superintendent 2013-15

Alvarez, 56, was Parlier Unified superintendent from 2013 through July 2015, when he was put on paid administrative leave by district trustees.
Their action came on the heels of a Fresno County grand jury report titled “Parlier Unified Challenged by Lax Leadership.”
The report alleged that Alvarez hired and gave raises to his personal friends as well as friends of district trustees, The Fresno Bee reported at the time.
The report also said that Alvarez held meetings in local restaurants instead of district headquarters.
In May 2016, the district financial records were audited by the state Department of Education at Yovino’s request.
In November 2016, DA investigators executed a search warrant and retained many of the district’s business and financial records.

Arraignment Scheduled for Monday

According to the DA’s office, Alvarez was arrested Friday (Jan. 4) morning without incident at his Fresno home. He is expected to be arraigned Monday (Jan. 7).
The DA’s public integrity unit conducted the investigation. It was formed by Smittcamp shortly after she took office in 2015.
The unit’s stated goal is “to combat corruption through the investigation and prosecution of voter fraud and criminal misconduct of elected and appointed officials at all levels of government within Fresno County.”
 

DON'T MISS

‘It’s Living Hell’: Nurses Say CA Addiction Recovery Program Ended Their Careers

DON'T MISS

Santa Who? Bizarre Christmas Traditions Stealing the Holiday Spotlight

DON'T MISS

New Decisions Boost California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate, but Major Hurdles Remain

DON'T MISS

Only $20K More to Bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Fresno

DON'T MISS

Jeffrey Sachs Warns of Looming US War With Iran

DON'T MISS

Cat House on the Kings Urgently Needs You to Donate Dollars and Adopt Your New Best Friend

DON'T MISS

The Surprising Sexual Politics of Nicole Kidman’s Kinky ‘Babygirl’

DON'T MISS

Why It’s Hard to Control What Gets Taught in Public Schools

DON'T MISS

FDA Approves Weight-Loss Drug to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

DON'T MISS

In a Calendar Rarity, Hanukkah Starts This Year on Christmas Day

UP NEXT

Santa Who? Bizarre Christmas Traditions Stealing the Holiday Spotlight

UP NEXT

New Decisions Boost California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate, but Major Hurdles Remain

UP NEXT

Only $20K More to Bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Fresno

UP NEXT

Jeffrey Sachs Warns of Looming US War With Iran

UP NEXT

Cat House on the Kings Urgently Needs You to Donate Dollars and Adopt Your New Best Friend

UP NEXT

The Surprising Sexual Politics of Nicole Kidman’s Kinky ‘Babygirl’

UP NEXT

Why It’s Hard to Control What Gets Taught in Public Schools

UP NEXT

FDA Approves Weight-Loss Drug to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

UP NEXT

In a Calendar Rarity, Hanukkah Starts This Year on Christmas Day

UP NEXT

A Look at the $100 Billion in Disaster Relief in the Government Spending Bill

Only $20K More to Bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Fresno

3 hours ago

Jeffrey Sachs Warns of Looming US War With Iran

19 hours ago

Cat House on the Kings Urgently Needs You to Donate Dollars and Adopt Your New Best Friend

20 hours ago

The Surprising Sexual Politics of Nicole Kidman’s Kinky ‘Babygirl’

21 hours ago

Why It’s Hard to Control What Gets Taught in Public Schools

21 hours ago

FDA Approves Weight-Loss Drug to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

21 hours ago

In a Calendar Rarity, Hanukkah Starts This Year on Christmas Day

22 hours ago

A Look at the $100 Billion in Disaster Relief in the Government Spending Bill

22 hours ago

It’s Eggnog Season. The Boozy Beverage Dates Back to Medieval England but Remains a Holiday Hit

22 hours ago

9-Year-Old Among 5 Killed in Christmas Market Attack in Germany

22 hours ago

‘It’s Living Hell’: Nurses Say CA Addiction Recovery Program Ended Their Careers

Bobbie Sage thought nursing would be her salvation. She was trapped in an abusive relationship with four kids and looking for a steady incom...

3 hours ago

3 hours ago

‘It’s Living Hell’: Nurses Say CA Addiction Recovery Program Ended Their Careers

3 hours ago

Santa Who? Bizarre Christmas Traditions Stealing the Holiday Spotlight

3 hours ago

New Decisions Boost California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate, but Major Hurdles Remain

3 hours ago

Only $20K More to Bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Fresno

19 hours ago

Jeffrey Sachs Warns of Looming US War With Iran

20 hours ago

Cat House on the Kings Urgently Needs You to Donate Dollars and Adopt Your New Best Friend

21 hours ago

The Surprising Sexual Politics of Nicole Kidman’s Kinky ‘Babygirl’

21 hours ago

Why It’s Hard to Control What Gets Taught in Public Schools

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend