BEAUMONT, CA — The City of Beaumont's Treasurer is facing multiple felony charges following a public corruption investigation, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday.
Anup Giresh "AJ" Patel, 39, is facing six felony charges, including three counts of perjury, one count of identity theft, forgery, and false personation.
The DA's office filed the charges on Thursday, Sept. 10.
According to the district attorney's office, Patel provided false information on Transient Occupancy Tax return forms related to a motel he owned and operated in Beaumont. He is accused of stealing another person's identity to communicate with the city and making false claims about the Transient Occupancy Tax he owed, according to the DA's office.
"An investigation by the District Attorney's Public Integrity Unit revealed that Patel submitted multiple Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) return forms to the City of Beaumont, signed under penalty of perjury, that stated he received $0 in gross rent for occupancy of rooms from April 2020 through December 2023 in a motel he operated in the city," the District Attorney's office said in a news release.
The city started an audit in January of 2025 on all lodgings from January 2021 through December 2023, which revealed Patel's motel collected $1,667,300.68 in gross rent from January 2021 through December 2023.
The District Attorney's office alleged Patel owed the city $166,730.07 in Transient Occupancy Tax in addition to penalties for the timeframe.
Patel was also accused of stealing another person's identity and used it to create a fraudulent lease agreement, as well as communicate with the City of Beaumont regarding the Transient Occupancy Tax owed to the city.
If convicted on all counts, Patel faces a up to six years and four months in state prison.
Patel posted bail in the amount of $30,000 and is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment hearing on Oct. 26, according to the DA's office.
Patel's arrest comes 10 years after multiple Beaumont officials were arrested and charged after a sprawling public corruption investigation.
Following the DA's announcement of Patel's arrest, the City of Beaumont issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, announcing a lawsuit against Patel.
"The City of Beaumont is aware of the criminal charges announced today by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office against elected City Treasurer Anup Giresh "AJ" Patel. The City filed a civil lawsuit against Patel and reported the underlying matter to the District Attorney's Office for investigation," city officials announced in a written statement. "The allegations described by the District Attorney's Office concern Patel's private business activities within the city and are separate from his official duties as City Treasurer. Since this is a pending criminal matter, the City will not comment on the merits of the charges or the court proceedings.
"City services and financial operations continue without interruption. The City remains committed to safeguarding public resources and maintaining transparent, accountable government."
No additional information was immediately available.
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