SoCal Official Who Lied About Medal Charged Again

A California water district official who lied about his military service now faces fraud and theft charges in Pomona.

Xavier Alvarez, a board member of the Three Valleys Municipal Water District, is accused of illegally getting medical benefits for his ex-wife from the water district. He faces felony counts of insurance fraud, misappropriating public funds and grand theft.

Earlier this year, Alvarez received probation after pleading guilty to lying about receiving the Medal of Honor.

In the latest charges, Alvarez allegedly failed to disclose that he was divorced five years ago when he applied for benefits. Deputy District Attorney Sandi Roth says the water district lost an estimated $4,000 in health care premiums between January and October 2007.

If convicted, Alvarez faces a maximum of five years in prison.