Andrea Cardenas and brother change plea to responsible on fraud expenses

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Former Chula Vista Metropolis Councilmember Andrea Cardenas and her brother, who’re going through a number of felony counts, modified their pleas for 2 of the fees to responsible in courtroom on Wednesday after reaching offers with prosecutors.

The amended plea applies to the grand theft expenses introduced towards the 2 for unlawfully acquiring cash from the federal and state authorities in 2020, together with by means of the Paycheck Safety Program help and unemployment advantages.

Cardenas can be sentenced in August. With the plea deal, she might be able to carry the fees down from a felony to a misdemeanor, reducing her jail time. The previous metropolis councilmember faces a most sentence of three years and eight months behind bars.

Cardenas’ brother Jesus is scheduled to be sentenced in March. In keeping with prosecutors, the settlement he reached is just like Cardenas’, however they are saying his sentence might look totally different. Particulars stay unclear at the moment.

In keeping with the District Lawyer’s workplace, nonetheless, each can be required to pay restitution as a part of their plea settlement.

Cardenas’ attorneys instructed FOX 5 after the listening to that she is remorseful for her actions, including that the final a number of months have taken a “important toll on her psychological well being.”

“Anytime you will have somebody who’s an elected official or they’re working in an appointed workplace, they’re in command of public funds,” deputy district legal professional Chandelle Boyce mentioned of the case. “When there may be allegations that they’ve dedicated fraud, it impacts the entire neighborhood.”

It is a growing story. Verify again for updates.