A judge found good cause Friday to delay the preliminary hearing until Nov. 14 for Cindy Greatrex, the former president of the La Jolla Park and Recreation Council, while her attorney gathers paperwork that might clear her of embezzlement of at least $65,000.
Greatrex, 51, appeared Friday with her attorney, Paul Neuharth Jr. who argued to delay the hearing before San Diego Superior Court Judge Michael Smyth.
Deputy District Attorney Chandelle Konstanzer argued against the delay. A minute order from the hearing said the delay was granted for “good cause.”
Greatrex has pleaded not guilty to one count of grand theft by employee with the allegation that the loss exceeds $65,000. She resigned her post in March and remains free on $70,000 bond.
Neuharth said he has not received all of the necessary documents the DA’s office has to defend his client. He said Friday the prosecutor sent him 80,000 pages on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. which was not enough time for him to review them.
“The delay was caused by the District Attorney in providing documents,” said Neuharth. Neuharth said the prosecutor also told him Friday he would be receiving even more documents.
Greatrex sent out an e-mail to various board members saying she would reimburse the committee for $67,935.86, according to court records.
Neuharth told the La Jolla Village News his client used funds from the committee to pay for grant writing services “benefitting” the committee. She wrote board members the money was spent to try and get a new playground in the area.
“She had to hire someone to write (for grants),” said Neuharth.
Neuharth said his intention is to present witnesses about these grant writing services with receipts at the preliminary hearing. This, he hoped, would result in a judge dismissing the case, he said.
Usually a preliminary hearing consists of testimony from prosecution witnesses, but the defense is allowed to present witnesses or documents if they wish. The hearing’s estimate is set at three hours, but it may last longer if Neuharth presents witnesses in order to admit documents.
An arrest warrant declaration by San Diego Police Detective Bernie Piceno stated he interviewed Mary Monk, the vice president of the La Jolla Park and Recreation Committee, in March.
The document by the detective says he reviewed bank records that showed 21 unauthorized checks from the committee being deposited into Greatrex’s bank account. Some transactions were unauthorized cash withdrawals by Greatrex from the La Jolla Park & Recreation bank accounts, he wrote.