A former administrative assistant for the National School District has presented a cashier’s check for $2,468 to pay the district back for funds she took while she worked there.
The check from Xochitl Mercado, 44, represents all she owed after investigators discovered she allegedly took nearly $12,000 from the elementary school district in National City. Mercado had made payments to the district even before a felony charge was filed against her in San Diego Superior Court in August.
Mercado, of San Ysidro, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of grand theft on Sept. 20 before Judge Kathleen Lewis, who placed her on three years probation. A felony charge of embezzlement by an employee was dismissed.
Mercado’s attorney, Todd Hilts, asked for immediate sentencing and Mercado was ordered to perform 40 hours of volunteer work, according to court records. No jail time was imposed, but she received credit for one day previously spent in jail. She was also fined $696.
The check was presented to Christopher Carson, assistant superintendent of National School District, who also addressed the court, according to records. Deputy District Attorney Wendy Patrick confirmed the guilty plea and sentence, but declined to make a comment about it.
Mercado initialed the plea agreement and her attorney wrote the following on a court form that described her conduct: “I unlawfully took property of another valued above $950 with intent to permanently deprive.”
A review date was set for March 19, 2019, for Mercado to show proof of completing the volunteer work.
The money was discovered missing from deposits made from district employees, a transportation gift and the House of Restoration. The district received the funds, but records show they were not deposited. Although Mercado resigned, the school district officially terminated her on Oct. 25, 2017.
