A woman accused of embezzling thousands of dollars from a West Covina elementary school PTA and other organizations pleaded not guilty to nine felony counts on Monday.
Veronica Monique Paderez, 38, who had been involved as a secretary and treasurer of Vine Elementary School's parent-teacher association, allegedly embezzled thousands of dollars from the school, the West Covina American Little League and the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles from 2013 to 2015, prosecutors said. She was was arrested on suspicion of grand theft on Feb. 4.
A preliminary audit showed more than $52,000 worth of losses from numerous fraudulent transactions, police said.
Police said Paderez also allegedly embezzled $26,000 from the West Covina American Little League and an unknown amount from Girl Scout Troop #4754.
Paderez is due back in a West Covina courtroom on June 16.
City News Service contributed to this report.
