Pomona man arraigned in embezzlement case
A former Marine from Pomona, accused of embezzling $200,000 from a Palm Desert non-profit group that provides educational scholarships to other Marines, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Jason Patrick Hitt appeared for arraignment on the charges Wednesday before Judge Victoria E. Cameron at Larson Justice Center, in Indio, according to court records.
Hitt, 35, pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of embezzlement and forging documents, court records indicate. He returns to court Thursday.
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, which contracts with Palm Desert for police services, said the arrest concluded a year-long investigation into missing funds at U. S. Marine Scholarships Desert Cities, Inc., according to a press statement.
The group has given out more than 80 scholarships to current and former Marines. Hitt was appointed its president, a non-paying position, last October.
When the founders of organization discovered missing funds, they reported it to authorities. Sheriff's officials say they believe Hitt embezzled the money while serving as president.
Investigators have recovered some property belonging to U. S. Marine Scholarships, in the 73000 block of Country Club Drive, in Palm Desert.
Authorities obtained an arrest warrant for Hitt and took him into custody on Oct. 6 at Best Buy in Chino Hills. A search warrant was also served at his Pomona home.
If anyone has any information about Hitt or the alleged embezzlement can contact Sgt. Dave Florez at 760-836-1600 or Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP.
Hitt has a prior conviction in Orange County Superior Court and a drunken driving arrest in Riverside County, according to court records.
In 2002, Hitt pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of second-degree burglary and petty theft. He was sentenced to two years of informal probation.
Hitt was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving on Sept. 8, 2010 in Riverside County, court records state. He was charged in that case with drunken driving, driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, and driving on a revoked driver's license - all misdemeanors.
Hitt is being held at Larry D. Smith Correctional Center, in Banning, in lieu of $135,000 bail, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
mike.cruz@inlandnewspapers.com
What happened at the october 20 court hearing?
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