Santa Paula Credit Union Manager Sentenced for Grand Theft, Forgery

By Redaccion
[email protected]

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Tina Torres (DOB 11/06/68), of Santa Paula, was sentenced to 365 days in Ventura County Jail, two years felony probation, and ordered to repay $354,522.08 in restitution. A 6-year 8-month state prison sentence was suspended and will be imposed if Torres violates any terms of probation or fails to report to jail. She previously pled guilty on February 15, 2024, to eight felony counts of grand theft, forgery, and grand theft by embezzlement. Torres also admitted to special allegations and aggravating factors on each count, which included an excessive loss of over $100,000 and taking advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the crime.

Deputy District Attorney Susan Park, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division, prosecuted the case.

“This was a case of a trusted and valued employee abusing their authority, harming not only the employer, but other workers who relied on the financial services she was entrusted with,” Ms. Park said. “We encourage everyone to trust but verify in situations where other people handle your finances.”

From 2016 to 2019, Torres managed Limoneira Federal Credit Union (LFCU). As a manager, she had access to LFCU’s financial records and authority to approve wire transfers. In 2019, a financial audit and subsequent investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Financial Crimes Unit revealed that she paid over $26,000 of her personal bills out of LFCU’s accounts. She also approved over $225,000 in unauthorized wire transfers between January 2016 and August 2019. To conceal her fraudulent withdrawals, Torres obtained an $80,000 line of credit in LFCU’s name and submitted altered bank statements to the LFCU Board of Directors. Upon review of the audit, Torres was fired in August 2019.

Torres was ordered to begin her jail sentence on May 10, 2024.

Case: 2021026236
Defendant Information:
Tina Torres (DOB 11/06/68)
Santa Paula

Pled guilty to:

• (3 counts) PC 487(a) – Grand theft
• (2 counts) PC 471 – Make, forge, or alter document
• (3 counts) PC 487(a) – Grand theft embezzlement

Special Allegations:

• PC 803(c) – Statute of limitations
• PC 186.11(a)(1) – Excessive loss over $100,000
• CRC 4.421(a)(3) – Victim was vulnerable
• CRC 4.421(a)(8) – Manner in which crime was carried out indicates planning, sophistication, and professionalism
• CRC 4.421(a)(9) – The crime involved an attempt or actual taking and damage of great monetary value
• CRC 4.421(a)(11) – The defendant took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense