DE LA CRUZ PLEADS NO CONTEST TM

THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LATINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS PLED NO CONTEST TO FELONY CHARGES OF FORGERY, AND WRITING CHECKS WITHOUT THE FUNDS TO COVER THEM. 54-YEAR-OLD WATSONVILLE RESIDENT LUIS DE LA CRUZ AGREED TO THE PLEA BARGAIN, FOLLOWING NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. DE LA CRUZ WAS ARRESTED IN 2002, ON CHARGES HE EMBEZZLED MONEY FROM THE NON-PROFIT AGENCY HE HEADED. IF CONVICTED OF THE CHARGE, DE LA CRUZ WOULD HAVE FACED A MAXIMUM OF NEARLY 4 YEARS IN STATE PRISION. BY ACCEPTING A PLEA BARGAIN, DE LA CRUZ NOW FACES UP TO A YEAR IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY JAIL. HE WILL BE SENTENCED ON JANUARY 10TH. THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT ALSO CALL FOR DE LA CRUZ TO MAKE FULL RESTITUTION, PRIOR TO BEING SENTENCED. ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BILL ATKINSON SAID IT IS ESTIMATED DE LA CRUZ OWES BETWEEN 14 AND 30 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE ORGANIZATION. COURT RECORDS SHOW DE LA CRUZ WAS CONVICTED OF EMBEZZLEMENT IN 1993 AND SERVED 90 DAYS IN JAIL IN THAT CASE.