Former CA. Rep. Sanchez aide pleads guilty to theft

By NEDRA PICKLER, The Associated Press
2:32 p.m. May 18, 2009

WASHINGTON — A former executive assistant to California Rep. Loretta Sanchez has pleaded guilty to stealing from office funds.

Caroline Valdez admitted in federal court Monday that she used Sanchez's House credit card to buy airline tickets for herself and a family member and get pizza and groceries delivered.

The 27-year-old Arlington resident also admitted that she forged Sanchez's signature to get $6,000 in bonus salary and inflated the cost of taxicab fare she actually paid to get greater reimbursement.

Valdez said her theft totaled more than $5,000 during the two years she worked for the Democratic congresswoman.

She faces up to six months in prison when she is sentenced on Sept. 25.

Sanchez's office declined to comment.

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