The San Diego District Attorney’s office has confirmed that they are reviewing an alleged embezzlement case by a former National School District employee.
Xochitl Mercado, a former administrative assistant in the National School District was accused of embezzling about $12,000, according to an internal audit conducted by the National School District.
“We believe that there was enough (evidence of embezzlement) that’s why we forwarded it to the district attorney’s office,” said National City Police Chief Manuel Rodriguez. “We believe there was probable cause.”
The district’s audit shows funds were missing under Mercado’s watch starting March 24, 2016 to June 9, 2017. When the district completed its audit on Sept. 18, 2017, it showed $12,076.83 went unaccounted for.
Most of the missing funds were deposits received from district employees, a transportation gift and the House of Restoration. Receipts show that the district received the funds but that they were never deposited.
The District Attorney’s office referred all questions about the case to the National City Police Department.
The police department launched their investigation into the matter on Sept. 22,2017, a few days after the school district reported the money missing.
Authorities turned over the case to the district attorney’s office May 10.
“We are thankful for the police department taking action and following up,” said National School District Superintendent Leighangela Brady.
Brady added that the school district will continue to monitor the way it handles deposits.
Mercado most recently worked in the school district as an administrative assistant to Chris Carson, the district’s superintendent for business services.
Mercado has worked at the district since 2006 with a brief absence in 2012 before she was re-hired by the district. Mercado was hired to work as Carson’s administrative assistant on Feb. 25, 2017 until her termination on Oct. 25, 2017
According to a school district source, superintendent Leighangela Brady sent a memo to governing board members explaining that Mercado had resigned from her post after Carson and Director of Finance Erina Cowart had questioned her about irregularities in reconciling cash deposits. Brady went on to explain that Mercado eventually revealed to Carson she had borrowed money from cash deposits and intended to pay the money back.
At the time Brady’s memo was written there was still an outstanding $1,000 even though Mercado had repaid some of the money. The district attorney’s office will now determine whether or not to file charges against Mercado.
Mercado did not return messages for comment.
