The former deputy city treasurer of Compton was arrested by federal authorities Wednesday and charged with one count of theft or bribery amid claims he stole $3.7 million in city funds over a period of six years.
Prosecutors say Salvador Galvan had been stealing $200 to $8,000 a day in cash from City Hall. But because of the small increments, it took some time before anyone noticed. A discrepancy was eventually flagged by a co-worker, leading to his downfall.
Once caught, Galvan appeared remorseless. Investigators said his explanation was “something to the effect [of], ‘Desperate times call for desperate measures’ and that he had to be a man, so he took the money to save his son’s house because he did not want his grandson out in the street.”
But Galvan was doing much more than saving his son’s home. He was adorned, head to toe, in luxury items, bought and paid for by stolen taxpayer cash. A search of his home turned up high-end flat screen TVs, Ugg boots, receipts for a pricey mattress, and estimates for his wife’s plastic surgery.
Members of the public expressed disappointment that the theft went on unnoticed for so many years. Mayor Aja Brown sympathized with their frustrations but said the scandal “does not represent our committed City employees who — like you — are just as disappointed.”
Galvan was first arrested in December. He was released after posting bond, but is now back behind bars. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.