Agua Dulce news
To the Vanguard News Home page 3-20-08 PRESS RELEASE Agua Dulce/Lancaster
Bringing an end to an extraordinarily long process, two former directors of the SPV Water Company of Agua Dulce, Manny Fernandez and Careylee Moisan, were sentenced today by Judge Carlos Chung on Seven (7) felony counts arising from their conduct as directors of the company between 2002 - 2004. The two were charged with several counts of grand theft and conspiracy arising from their alleged embezzlement of over $50,000.00 in cash and development of a self dealing scheme which cost the community more than a hundred thousand dollars.
In a prosecution that has been ongoing since 2005, the two had entered pleas of no contest to these felony counts last September In a plea bargain that could have seen them avoid the felony convictions upon payment of restitution. However, last week, when restitution was due, the two failed to make payment.
Although remanded to custody, the two were later released for further sentencing on Friday 3/20. Despite eventual tardy payment of over $81,000.00 in restitution, the court today sentenced the two as felons. Both received credit for time served and three years formal probation.
Fernandez received 65 days of community service and Moisan received 30 days. A third conspirator had earlier reached a deal with prosecutors and was not involved in these proceedings. Several members of the community were in attendance at the sentencing hearing and expressed general satisfaction with the ultimate results. See our story when Fernandez was lying about the fake water shortage.
These same criminals as former directors of SPV Water Co objected to the CUP for the winery. The community needs to go into the Agua Dulce Vineyards and see what the MacAdams have brought into the community, instead of the evil crimes perpetrated on the community and the water district by Manuel Fernandez and Carey Lee Moisan.