County $300k embezzlement case concludes with jail sentences
By Felix Cortez
Click here for updates on this story
HOLLISTER, California (KSBW) — Two former employees of the San Benito County Library in Hollister have been sentenced to jail time after pleading no contest to charges related to embezzling over $300,000.
Assistant librarian Erin Baxter was sentenced to one year in county jail and two years’ probation after pleading no contest to forgery, conspiracy, and embezzlement.
She was ordered to repay more than $330,000, which she used to purchase items on Amazon, including makeup, golfing equipment, and camping gear.
Accounting clerk Mary Alvarez received a sentence of 60 days in county jail and one year of probation after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of conspiracy.
The $600 restitution amount for Alvarez was waived, as prosecutors noted she did not benefit financially from Baxter’s actions.
“However, it should be noted there’s no evidence she actually received any benefit, Ms. Alvarez, received any benefit from it. So that’s why the resolution was quite a bit less than Ms. Baxter,” said San Benito County District Attorney Joel Buckingham.
Buckingham emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating, “It is taxpayer dollars that we’re looking at. And so when we see this happen and we see taxpayer dollars metaphorically go out the window to purposes they’re not intended to, it’s something we take very seriously to make sure that the public’s trust is maintained and that people are held accountable.”
Buckingham also commented on the nature of temptation, saying, “They may be very good people 95% of the time, but temptation can come to anyone. And if it does and you steal, we will prosecute you.”
Both women are scheduled to check in at the county jail on October 7 to begin serving their jail sentences.
Calls to attorneys for Baxter and Alvarez went unreturned.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.