California education official Jorge Contreras embezzled $14 MILLION of public funds and used cash to pay for cosmetic surgery, BMW, Louis Vuitton and Versace goods
- Jorge Contreras is accused of embezzling millions from the school district he worked for in Orange County, California
- Prosecutors say the 52-year-old used the funds to live a life of luxury including spending $127,000 on a car and $190,000 on cosmetic treatments
- He is also said to have used the funds to pay off an Amex bill totaling $1.9 million and withdrew cash amounting to $325,000
A California education official has been arrested for allegedly embezzling more than $14 million from a school district over a seven year period.
Jorge Armando Contreras, 52, is said to have embezzled millions from Magnolia School District, in Orange County, while the senior director of fiscal services.
According to prosecutors, Contreras used the illicitly obtained funds to finance a house, buy luxury items, and to pay for cosmetic treatments from a dermatologist.
In an affidavit, it is alleged that Contreras used the money to pay off American Express bills totaling $1.9 million, withdrew cash totaling $325,000 and bought a house worth $1.5 million.
Contreras is also said to have purchased a BMW SUV worth $127,000 and transferred $130,000 to his partner, Cristhian Figueroa, who he married in August of this year.
Contreras is accused of making payments to himself from district funds, with payments made from more than 250 checks deposited into his personal bank account.
The checks ranged from approximately $11,000 to roughly $95,000 and used fictitious people as the payees, the affidavit alleges.
According to prosecutors, the schools in the area educate children that mostly come from disadvantaged homes, with the district receiving millions of dollars in federal funds.
The Superintendent at the school caught on after being notified by Wells Fargo of potential fraud regarding their funds account.
The Superintendent then searched his office and discovered altered bank statements, leading to an investigation.
In 2020, Contreras is said to have used the embezzled funds to purchase a residence in Yorba Linda, California, and paid over $ 1million via a wire transfer for it.
Prosecutors have also said that he altered bank statements submitted as part of the loan application for this property to hide funds he embezzled from the school district.
The affidavit further alleges that he used $190,000 of the funds to pay a West Hollywood dermatologist and surgeon for cosmetic treatments.
The affidavit further alleges that he used $190,000 of the funds to pay a West Hollywood dermatologist and surgeon for cosmetic treatments.
Contreras is also said to have used the money to purchased luxury items sold by brands including Versace and Louis Vuitton.
The affidavit shows a list of transactions to boutiques including Versace, Louis Vuitton and David Yurman.
Over the space of nine months, he is accused of spending over $360,000 at Versace and over $60,000 at Louis Vuitton in the space of a month.
Similarly, transactions from jewelers David Yurman total over $180,000, in the space of two weeks.
On Contreras Instagram, where he has over 2.7 million Instagram followers, he frequently shares pictures of himself at events wearing expensive clothing.
Likewise, his husband is also a keen social media user having racked up over 1.5 million followers.
On his page he is frequently seen wearing luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.
Contreras was charged with embezzlement concerning programs receiving federal funds, a felony punishable with up to 10 years in prison.
After making his initial appearance at the United States District Court in Santa Ana on Thursday, he was jailed without bond. With his next appearance on November 27.
