SGV official guilty to abusing public money

Dolores Holguin, former director on the Valley County Water District in Baldwin Park, pleaded guilty today to one count of misusing public funds.

Investigators said that Holguin improperly charged personal expenses to the district, including meals, attorney's fees and telephone bills. She was ordered to pay back the district $6,200.

Deputy District Attorney Edward Miller said that he hopes the case serves as an example to public officials.

"It is a message that public officials are supposed to exercise the utmost care when spending the public's money, and if it is not an actual and necessary expense for their function, it is probably illegal," Miller said.