Two S.F. workers accused of fraud

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Two San Francisco city workers have been charged with using city funds to purchase more than $200,000 in goods for personal use, authorities say.

The San Francisco Chronicle said Wednesday that San Francisco Public Utilities Commission workers Donnie Alan Thomas and Miles Bonner stand accused of purchasing items like stereo equipment and redwood decking through their city positions.

Facing felony grand theft charges in the case are SFPUC electrician Robert Mazariegos, 56, and SFPUC employee Vincent Padilla, 28. Part-time SFPUC worker John Rauch, 69, has been charged in connection with the scam, along with former Centennial Distributors official Jean Quiroz and Cole Hardware employee Elizabeth Bradford.

The Chronicle said Thomas, 45, and Bonner, 60, are each facing as much as 21 years in prison if convicted on 41 felony and two misdemeanor counts.

"None of these purchases had anything to do with legitimate city business," District Attorney Kamala Harris said of the city workers' alleged scam.

"They were enjoying a luxurious life on the city dime," she added.