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Arrula allegedly paid for the installation of an electric vehicle charger in his parking spot at city hall, then overbilled the city for the purchase.
Placentia City Administrator Damien Arrula is being investigated over whether he violated city policy on a recent purchase he made with his city credit card.
Arrula is alleged to have used tax dollars to pay for the installation of an electric vehicle (EV) charger in his parking space at city hall, then overbilled the city for the cost of that purchase.
Nicolette Drulius, a spokesperson for Placentia, did not comment on whether Arrula had been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.
The Placentia City Council has been examining its policies on credit card spending and travel allowances for city employees in recent meetings. The council also met behind closed doors twice this week to consider removing a city employee.
City officials did not provide comment on whether any action was taken against a city employee as a result of those closed-door sessions. They also did not confirm or deny if those conversations were about Arrula for his purchase and installation of an EV charger with city funds.
Placentia has struggled with corruption within city hall in the past. When Arrula’s tenure as city administrator began in 2016, the city was embroiled in an embezzlement scandal involving its former financial services manager, Michael M. Nguyen.
Nguyen was eventually sentenced to 25 years in state prison for embezzling more than $5 million from city coffers.
Arrula’s conduct first came under scrutiny in March when a city resident raised questions about his use of tax dollars to have his personal vehicle washed.
At a city council meeting on March 5, resident Julie Suchard said Arrula was regularly sending city staff out in his personal vehicle to have it washed at a car wash which contracts with the city for free washes of city vehicles.
“I would argue that time spent using city resources and the funds expended on the maintenance of Mr. Arrula’s personal vehicle should be considered compensation. Where does the council draw the line on forcing taxpayers to fund Mr. Arrula’s employment perks?” Suchard said.
Arrula is alleged to have been doing this despite having an $800 monthly vehicle stipend from the city.
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