Ex-LADWP Employee Accused of Embezzling $4 Million

A former Los Angeles Department of Water and Power employee is facing more than two dozen charges stemming from an alleged embezzlement scheme involving more than $4 million, according to prosecutors.

Thatcus Carl “TC” Richard, 64, of Moreno Valley, was in charge of managing audio-visual jobs for the utility company, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

For nearly two decades, he allegedly used his position to award contracts to friends who had formed A/V companies, which in turn subcontracted work from a company owned by Richard.

Investigators with the company uncovered the alleged embezzlement after receiving an anonymous complaint in 2012.

Richard retired from LADWP in 2014, while the investigation was on-going. He had worked for the department since 1996, according to the district attorney’s office.

"Any employee who violates the public trust and defrauds the LADWP and our customer owners should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said LADWP General Manager Marcie Edwards, in a written statement. "I am grateful that the suspected criminal activity was investigated by our own security services division and reported to law enforcement. Since this investigation was initiated, we have taken significant steps to strengthen our ability to detect fraud and deter a scheme like this from ever occurring again and will take additional steps to better detect and prevent the fraud that occurred in this case. I have also requested that the City Attorney file a civil action to attempt to recover the money that was stolen by this former employee," Edwards added.

Richard has been charged with 27 counts, including nine counts each of conflict of interest, public officer crime and embezzlement by a public officer.