bigboydan
08-12-2003, 10:58 PM
Clerk facing criminal charges
Monday, August 11, 2003
Clerk facing criminal charges
By SCOTT DEN HERDER, Democrat staff writer
A UC Davis clerk has been charged with using the names of former university employees to obtain credit cards which she then allegedly used to withdraw thousands of dollars from Cache Creek Bingo and Casino.
Linda Diana Serna, a clerk in the financial services department, was charged with identity theft, embezzlement and grand theft for allegedly using her position to obtain corporate credit cards from former employees - particularly those affiliated with the university's medical school, according to an attorney familiar with the case.
University credit cards of former employees would be reactivated or remained active after their departure, he said.
Over a six-year period Serna allegedly withdrew at least $4,500 from university credit cards, though the extent to which she used those cards is still being investigated, said the attorney.
"She was taking out cash advances for $1,000 at the casino," the attorney said. "God only knows how much she took. We're just now scratching the surface."
Serna had allegedly disguised those withdraws by using her position to alter financial records, making the transactions appear as though they were legitimate so the university would reimburse those expenses, according to the attorney.
The alleged scheme fell apart when Serna, 53, was on medical leave for cancer treatment - at which time a routine audit by the university uncovered inaccuracies that led to her arrest.
On July 10, UC Davis police officers issued a search warrant and subsequently arrested Serna at a residence in Vacaville, according to Sgt. Nadder Oweis, university police department detective.
Serna was released for medical treatment following her arrest, and is on leave from the university without pay until Oct. 3.
She faces up to five years in state prison if convicted of all charges, according to Deputy District Attorney Rob Gorman. She is scheduled to appear in Yolo County Superior Court for arraignment on Aug. 15
Monday, August 11, 2003
Clerk facing criminal charges
By SCOTT DEN HERDER, Democrat staff writer
A UC Davis clerk has been charged with using the names of former university employees to obtain credit cards which she then allegedly used to withdraw thousands of dollars from Cache Creek Bingo and Casino.
Linda Diana Serna, a clerk in the financial services department, was charged with identity theft, embezzlement and grand theft for allegedly using her position to obtain corporate credit cards from former employees - particularly those affiliated with the university's medical school, according to an attorney familiar with the case.
University credit cards of former employees would be reactivated or remained active after their departure, he said.
Over a six-year period Serna allegedly withdrew at least $4,500 from university credit cards, though the extent to which she used those cards is still being investigated, said the attorney.
"She was taking out cash advances for $1,000 at the casino," the attorney said. "God only knows how much she took. We're just now scratching the surface."
Serna had allegedly disguised those withdraws by using her position to alter financial records, making the transactions appear as though they were legitimate so the university would reimburse those expenses, according to the attorney.
The alleged scheme fell apart when Serna, 53, was on medical leave for cancer treatment - at which time a routine audit by the university uncovered inaccuracies that led to her arrest.
On July 10, UC Davis police officers issued a search warrant and subsequently arrested Serna at a residence in Vacaville, according to Sgt. Nadder Oweis, university police department detective.
Serna was released for medical treatment following her arrest, and is on leave from the university without pay until Oct. 3.
She faces up to five years in state prison if convicted of all charges, according to Deputy District Attorney Rob Gorman. She is scheduled to appear in Yolo County Superior Court for arraignment on Aug. 15