April 14--A former Lynwood city employee was arrested Wednesday on charges that he embezzled more than $27,000 from the Lynwood Employees Assn., prosecutors said.
Eric Gonzalez is charged with four felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.
Gonzales, who had been held on $80,000 bond following his arrest, appeared in court for arraignment Thursday and pleaded not guilty.
He was released on his own recognizance, despite the objection of prosecutors, City News Service reported.
Gonzalez, a civil engineering technician, served as president of the nonprofit union between 2011 and 2012, the district attorney's office said.
Prosecutors allege that during that time, Gonzalez made four unauthorized cash withdrawals totaling $27,735. Other board members later discovered the withdrawals and contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
If convicted, Gonzalez faces up to five years in jail.
sarah.parvini@latimes.com
For more local and breaking news, follow me on Twitter: @sarahparvini
