Talk about a waste of taxpayer money

Whittier reporter Ruby Gonzales has a story running in tomorrow's paper about a former Los Angeles County public works employee who pleaded no contest in January to stealing gas from county maintenance yards.

Between July 2 and Sept. 3, 2008, officials say Ralph Soto used a co-worker's account number to siphon off an estimated 1,000 gallons of gas at yards in Alhambra and East Los Angeles.

He also filled cans with gasoline, which he then sold.

Apparently, he was doing this at night and on weekends. He hasn't been an employee with the county since early December.

Soto will $5,087 in restitution to the county and serve 120 days in county jail.

Look for the full story tomorrow.