The vice mayor of a small Contra Costa County, California, city faces an uncertain future after he was found guilty of felony embezzlement of insurance premiums.
Clayton Vice Mayor Joe Medrano is also an insurance broker whose former business partners testified against him during the eight-day trial. The Contra Costa Times reports he was convicted by a jury on Oct. 11.
Medrano was accused of taking $159,000 in premiums from a Silicon Valley company but never forwarding the money to the insurance agency.
He is one of five candidates running for three open seats on the Clayton City Council in the Nov. 6 election.
The city council must decide whether to remove Medrano from office immediately or let voters decide his fate.
Medrano’s attorney says his client will file an appeal.
Medrano faces up to four years in state prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 12.
Topics California Agencies
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