Former Palm Springs City Employee Pleads Guilty To Embezzlement

INDIO, CA -- A former Palm Springs city employee who used about $25,000 worth of city equipment for personal use pleaded guilty Tuesday to embezzlement and was immediately sentenced to three years probation.

Steven Dewayne Rakestraw, 45, "misused city funds" by using his position as the city's fleet services manager to have work performed on his personal vehicles, including purchasing parts and having his vehicles painted and maintained, according to prosecutors.

The embezzlement occurred between March 17 and May 19, 2016, prosecutors said.

D.A.'s investigators also found Rakestraw in possession of one of the city's tractors when they served a search warrant at one of his properties, according to an arrest warrant declaration that says he tried to hide the tractor by driving it to a neighbor's home when they arrived. "Numerous vehicle parts and documents" were also discovered on his property, providing evidence of "his misuse of public funds," the declaration states.

City officials announced in the summer of 2016 that two employees had been fired after being investigated for the tractor's theft, as well as conducting unneeded vehicle repairs and parts purchases. So far, only Rakestraw has faced charges in connection with the investigation.

"As public servants, we must vigilantly safeguard public resources; it is deeply disappointing to learn when employees are found to disregard that public trust," City Manager David Ready said in a statement following the earlier announcement. "In this case, we are pleased that our internal `checks and balances' worked to uncover the discrepancy. Also, we continue to encourage employees to come forward with any information of wrongdoing."

--City News Service/Photo via Shutterstock