Alvarez sentenced to 5 years in slammer, board to discuss replacement

Now that Xavier Alvarez has been sentenced to five years in state prison for defrauding the Three Valleys Municipal Water District -- and been forced to resign his seat on the board -- his colleagues have to figure out what to do about a replacement.

The board is meeting Monday morning at its district offices, 1021 E. Miramar Ave. to decide whether to hold a special election or appoint a replacement for Alvarez, who represented south Pomona.

Alvarez was convicted of knowingly registering his ex-wife, Juanita Ruiz, for health benefits with the district from Jan. 24 to Oct. 31, 2007.

He has has to pay restitution of more than $4,100 to the water district and other court fees.

That's not the only legal troubles that Alvarez has faced recently though. He also was fined and sentenced to probation in July 2008 for violating the Stolen Valor Act, which makes it illegal to falsely claim military valor. Alvarez had previously told stories about how he received the Medal of Honor.