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
September 20
1954 - C-46 cargo plane crashes at Saugus Drunk Farm; Civil Air Patrol chaplains parachute to safety [story]
chaplains


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 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 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 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 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
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
COC Receives $300,000 NASA Grant to Expand Student Access to STEM Fields
The College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team has received a $300,000 grant from NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success program.
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1954 - C-46 cargo plane crashes at Saugus Drunk Farm; Civil Air Patrol chaplains parachute to safety [story]
chaplains
The College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team has received a $300,000 grant from NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success program.
COC Receives $300,000 NASA Grant to Expand Student Access to STEM Fields
Bring along a furry friend to the Santa Clarita Child & Family Center's Purple Walk Domestic Violence Awareness 5K on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8-11 a.m. at the Center’s main facility 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Oct. 5: 5K Purple Walk Dogs Against Domestic Violence
Written and directed by Braddon Mendelson, produced by Heather Mendelson, and co-produced by Olive Branch Theatricals and Noisivision Studios, "Provenance" will take stage at the The MAIN, 24266 Main Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-29.
Sept. 27-29: Braddon Mendelson to Present ‘Provenance’ at The MAIN
The Master's women's volleyball team opened Great Southwest Athletic Conference play on the road in Prescott, Ariz. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, defeating the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles in straight sets 28-26, 25-22, 25-18.
TMU Women’s Volleyball Opens Conference Play with Road Win
College of the Canyons freshman Sahya Kitabatake shot a two-under-par round of 70 to tie for medalist honors while helping the Cougars place fourth at the Western State Conference tournament at Sterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo on Monday, Sept. 16.
Kitabatake Medals, Canyons Women Take Fourth at Sterling Hills Golf Club
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
SRD Straightening Reigns, a therapeutic organization offering equine assisted psychotherapy, has been awarded $278,870 from the California State budget to improve mental health services.
California Awards $278,870 in Funding to SRD Straightening Reins
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
California Institute of the Arts alums Alyssa Dressman Lehner and Clara Plestis captured Emmy Awards at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Two Calartians Win 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Valencia High School's Choir will hold a fall concert, "Broadway, Movies & Media" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Theatre, 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 26-27: Valencia High Choir Presents Fall Concert ‘Broadway, Movies & Media’
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Bill Miranda | Santa Clarita Arts, a Journey Through Creativity
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated this season to protect themselves and loved ones from respiratory viruses.
CDPH: Stay Up to Date on Vaccines
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library in collaboration with Santa Clarita Valley Libraries will have a silent Book Auction beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, through 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
Sept. 30: Public Libraries to Host Silent Book Auctions
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house
The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
Joint Assistance Centers Open for Residents Impacted by Bridge, Line Fires
Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
Sept. 21: JCI Invites All Veterans to Upcoming Resource Fair
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
LASD Announces New Policy on Law Enforcement Gangs
The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
SCVEDC Offers Virtual Business Tours of the Santa Clarita Valley
SCVNews.com