header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
April 26
1906 - Bobby Batugo, World Champion Mixologist in the 1970s, born in The Philippines [story]
Bobby Batugo


David Rubira

David Rubira

A former assistant engineer for the City of Santa Clarita pleaded no contest today to embezzling more than $533,000 and was sentenced to four years in state prison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.

David Rubira, 40, pleaded no contest to one felony count of misappropriation of public funds and was immediately sentenced by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Walgren in case PA086999.

Deputy District Attorney Sean Hassett with the Public Integrity Division said Rubira also was ordered to pay $533,570 in restitution. His vehicles were seized by prosecutors along with his home, Hassett said.

Between November 2012 and April 2015, the Newhall resident fraudulently routed cash in lieu of bond refunds to fictitious companies that he created.

He has also been ordered to make full restitution to the city of Santa Clarita.

Rubira was arrested on May 31, 2016 following an extensive investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Shortly thereafter, Rubira was terminated from his employment with the City of Santa Clarita.

The city subsequently hired KPMG to complete a forensic audit immediately following information received from the Sheriff’s Department regarding the then-alleged embezzlement.

“We are pleased that Mr. Rubira will be punished for his crimes and violation of the public’s trust,” commented Ken Striplin, City Manager.

Rubira oversaw developer funds deposited as part of the permit entitlement process. These funds were required by the City and were held pending completion of required work by developers as part of their project in the City.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

27 Comments

  1. Good!!!!! That’s where he should be. Stupid idiot!!!!!

  2. Carmen Russo Carmen Russo says:

    Only 4 years , what ???

    • Becaused he saved the tax payers the cost of a trial. He will exit prison a convicted felon with minimal job prospects unless he has relatives who are charitable. Even then, no security clearance, etc. Basically, this guy ruined his life forever. His self-inflicted punishment will continue after he gets out of prison.

  3. No one really believes he will serve four years in jail.

  4. What a shame…just stupid.

  5. Melinda Piligian Christopher Lee Piligian Michelle Posthumus

  6. Cathy Lahey Cathy Lahey says:

    And he thought he wasn’t going to get caught? Bahahaha. ?

  7. So — who out there really believes he will ever pay over $500k in restitution to the City? And — who out there is asking the City/City Council what the status is on their getting reimbursed from insurance for any claim for this loss? Based on what I know of most insurers I really doubt the City will get reimbursed for their loss claim, due to the City’s demonstrated lax accounting practices, failures to audit and violations of their own policies as shown by the KPMG audit and recommendations.

    • Not sure about an insurance claim, but it has been my experience that the DA will get what they can with respect to restitution. The City also has remedies such as a lawsuit and levy/foreclosure against any property he owned, even if it is community property with his wife. Aside from that, the restiuttion is a long slow drip.

    • Uuhh, the DA does not enforce criminal restitution
      judgments, which means the City will add this to what we now pay the City Attorney firm too.

  8. Brandon Cook Brandon Cook says:

    Ha ha ha!! What a loser!

  9. Let me get this straight his on a 4 yr layover on my tax dollar and at the same time his “not” going to pay back a dime since his doing the time, so I guess his also making 133k for the next 4 yrs? This guy just got a hella deal!

  10. Jonathan Michael Vincent

  11. 4 years is nothing are u serious wow

  12. 4 yrs wow hope they are very long for him

  13. Dan says:

    Four years means he’ll likely be out in two. Not enough deterrent for those who might follow in his footsteps.

  14. So who got fired at the City for letting it happen and not putting controls in place ? Let me guess.. no one

  15. Todd Hall Todd Hall says:

    Big shocker. Let me know when I get my money back they never paid me for work my company did. It’s a culture of corruption.

  16. Such a nice guy too. They should have just given him a warning Melinda Piligian Michelle Posthumus Amanda Emeterio

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Friday, Apr 26, 2024
$4.1 Million Grant Program for Small, Micro Businesses in L.A. County
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and the County Film Office, in partnership with Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Chair Lindsey P. Horvath and Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, unveiled a new $4.1 million grant program to provide relief to small and micro businesses affected by both COVID-19 and the 2023 Hollywood double strikes.
Friday, Apr 26, 2024
June 8: Saugus High Instrumental Music Program Rummage Sale
Join the Saugus Instrumental Music Program at Saugus High School for a fun community event. Get ready, Santa Clarita, for an unforgettable morning of shopping, entertainment and support. The Saugus Instrumental Music Program Rummage Sale, where treasures abound and bargains await will be held Saturday, June 8, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday, Apr 26, 2024
May 11: Placerita Canyon Nature Center Open House
The Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates invite residents of the Santa Clarita Valley to the annual Placerita Canyon Nature Center Open House event to be held Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Blue Heat, the Saugus High School show choir team, ended its competition season on April 12 with a first-place finish in the mixed division Tier IV at John Burroughs Music Showcase 2024 held in Burbank. The team also won the awards for Best Musicianship and Best Showmanship.
Saugus High Show Choir Captures Awards at Music Showcase
Against a backdrop of cinematic magic at Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California Institute of the Arts honored the transformative power that philanthropy has had in nurturing the dreams of CalArts students.
CalArts Honors Scholarship Donors at Nickelodeon Event
Two classic one-act comedies written by the late James McLure are coming to The Main in Old Town Newhall for a two-weekend run starting Friday, May 10.
May 10: Two Classic One Act Comedies Open at The Main
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and the County Film Office, in partnership with Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Chair Lindsey P. Horvath and Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, unveiled a new $4.1 million grant program to provide relief to small and micro businesses affected by both COVID-19 and the 2023 Hollywood double strikes.
$4.1 Million Grant Program for Small, Micro Businesses in L.A. County
Join the Saugus Instrumental Music Program at Saugus High School for a fun community event. Get ready, Santa Clarita, for an unforgettable morning of shopping, entertainment and support. The Saugus Instrumental Music Program Rummage Sale, where treasures abound and bargains await will be held Saturday, June 8, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
June 8: Saugus High Instrumental Music Program Rummage Sale
The Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates invite residents of the Santa Clarita Valley to the annual Placerita Canyon Nature Center Open House event to be held Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 11: Placerita Canyon Nature Center Open House
1906 - Bobby Batugo, World Champion Mixologist in the 1970s, born in The Philippines [story]
Bobby Batugo
Starting Monday, April 29, construction on the South Fork Trail will begin to replace a portion of the lodgepole fencing, the city of Santa Clarita announced.
South Fork Trail Construction to Begin April 29
College of the Canyons dual-sport athlete Sam Regez will continue his career at University of Portland with plans to run on both the cross country and track and field programs.
COC Standout Sam Regez Signs with University of Portland
An entertainment industry initiative to support the voices of California State University, Northridge film and TV students was celebrated with a recent screening of stories they created. 
‘Changing Lenses’ Initiative Lends Voice to CSUN Film, TV Students
How important is Film and Tourism to the Santa Clarita Valley Economy? 
SCVEDC Delves into Santa Clarita Film, Tourism Impact
Earlier this month, a team of biology students at The Master’s University won a distinguished award at one of the oldest intercollegiate research conferences in the country.
TMU Biology Students Earn Recognition at Annual Research Conference
Lisa Zamroz has announced her intent to step down as the head coach of The Master's University's women's basketball team effective July 1, 2024.
TMU Women’s Basketball Coach to Resign
Spring heralds a time of renewal and rejuvenation, not just in the natural world, but within our homes and lives as well.
Cameron Smyth | Spring Cleaning Your Neighborhood
College of the Canyons student-athletes Gigi Garcia (softball) and Hannes Yngve (men's golf) have been named the COC Athletic Department's Women's and Men's Student-Athletes of the Week for the period running April 15-20.
COC Names Gigi Garcia, Hannes Yngve Athletes of the Week
California Institute of the Arts' Community Weekend kicks off on Friday, April 26 and runs through Sunday, April 28.
April 26-28: Community Weekend Returns to CalArts
May is National Foster Parent Appreciation Month! Celebrate by applying to become a resource parent and fostering or foster-adopting siblings.
May 16: Children’s Bureau Foster Care Orientation
Santa Clarita resident Edina Lemus has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California in Lancaster by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom Appoints SCV Resident Veterans Home Administrator
The California Department of Transportation has scheduled Lane Closures on the northbound and southbound State Route 14 between Technology Drive in Palmdale and Avenue A in Lancaster, closing up to three lanes.
Caltrans Announces SR-14 Lane Closures
1906 - Bercaw General Store opens in Surrey (Saugus) [story]
Bercaw Store
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond testified today in the Senate Education Committee about the need for results-proven training for all teachers of reading and math.
State Superintendent Makes Historic Push for Results-Proven Training in Literacy, Math as Sponsor of SB 1115
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
Ocean Water Warning for April 24
Dust off the boots and get ready to holler, because Boots In The Park making its way to back to Santa Clarita, y’all. 
May 10: Boots In the Park Returns to Santa Clarita
State Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) and Supervisor Kathryn Barger honor the memory of those lost 109 years ago in Armenian Genocide. 
Barger, Wilk Recognize Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
SCVNews.com