Reynolds sentenced to probation
By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
Mike Reynolds, who served as Redlands' elected treasurer for more than two decades, was formally sentenced to three years of probation Thursday after having pleaded guilty to a felony charge of forgery.
Judge Michael Des of San Bernardino Superior Court also ordered Reynolds to serve 30 days at Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center with eligibility to do the time through a weekender or work release program.
Reynolds was also required to pay nearly $38,000 to the city of Redlands in restitution. Deputy district attorney John Goritz confirmed during Thursday's court hearing that the payment has already been made.
Reynolds was initially charged with three felonies relating to a money transfer of about $38,000 that prosecutors considered an illegal move to hide discrepancies in the city's petty cash fund. In late August, Reynolds agreed to plead guilty to a new felony count of illegally altering a public document.
The guilty plea bars Reynolds, 59, from ever again holding public office. He served as City Treasurer for more than 28 years and resigned from office days before entering his plea.
The probation report shows that authorities do not claim Reynolds, who moved nearly $38,000 from an account under his control to the city's general fund, stole any of Redlands' money.
Reynolds' attorney, Patrick Milligan, said outside the courtroom that any army general would understand why Reynolds' actions.
"Once the (Treasurer's Office) employee told him that the (petty cash) account had not been balanced for 10 years, Mr. Reynolds took an action to protect the reputation of the Treasurer's Office, his own reputation and the city of Redlands," Milligan said. "Unfortunately, public officials aren't allowed to do that."
The District Attorney's Public Integrity Unit began its investigation of Reynolds in Sept. 2007 after an anonymous email was sent to the Redlands City Manager's office that alleging improper handling of city money.
Investigators learned that the city's petty cash fund was short by nearly $38,000. According to the probation report, Reynolds thought the shortage was a bookkeeping error and looking back, realized that he should have reported the discrepancy instead of making the transfer before an audit.
It was "a major mistake of judgment on my part," said Reynolds, as quoted in the probation report.
Milligan said he expects Redlanders will forgive Reynolds and welcome him back to the city as a private citizen.