Camarillo man accused of embezzlement


A Camarillo man pleaded not guilty to grand theft and 19 counts of forgery Dec. 6, according to the Ventura County district attorney’s office.

Gabriel Garcia, 52, is accused of embezzling nearly half a million dollars from Coastal Metabolic Research Centre, the Ventura medical facility where he worked as an operations manager for 14 years, prosecutors said.

The business, prosecutors said, discovered that Garcia had been writing checks to supply vendors as well as nonexistent patients and providers and then depositing them into his personal accounts.

He is accused of stealing more than $447,000 with roughly 1,100 fraudulent check transactions.

“From the evidence developed to date, we believe Mr. Garcia embezzled for a 13-month period, from January 2021 to February 2022,” said Marc Leventhal, senior deputy district attorney.

Leventhal said Garcia turned himself in Nov. 19 after learning of a warrant for his arrest. He was booked and released that day after posting $40,000 bail.

If convicted on all counts, Garcia faces up to 15 years and eight months in state prison.

His early disposition conference is scheduled for Jan. 13.

Leventhal would not comment on whether Garcia has a criminal history.

The research center at 3454 Loma Vista Road, which conducts clinical trials, could not be contacted for comment. The business’ phone number and website are no longer active.

Makena Huey