Controller Arrested for Embezzlement

Goleta - March 10th, 2009

An employee of a local food company is facing charges of embezzling hundreds of thousands dollars from her employer.

On Monday, March 2, 2009 Santa Barbara County Deputies were contacted by the owners of the Santa Barbara Olive Company who informed them that the company’s controller, 39-year old Cathy Latou, had admitted to embezzling more than $360-thousand dollars from the company.

Upon further investigation and with the help of the company’s owners Sheriff’s Investigators were able to discover another $90-thousand dollars that Latou is suspected of taking. The majority of funds were obtained through a company credit card or company checking account.

Latou is suspected of spending the money to purchase personal items and for gambling excursions.

She was arrested for embezzlement (508 P.C.) and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on Monday, March 2, 2009 where she posted bail ($20,000). The case will be sent to the District Attorney’s Office once the investigation is complete.

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