CalPERS expects criminal charges against ex-employee accused of defrauding retirees

CalPERS attorneys expect criminal charges to be filed against a former employee accused of defrauding retirees, the retirement system’s lead attorney said Tuesday.

The retirement system accused Gloria Najera, 45, a former employee in the system’s Retirement Benefit Services Division, of diverting about $685,000 from 10 retirees’ accounts to pay her own debts. CalPERS filed a civil complaint against Najera in Sacramento County Superior Court on Friday.

The system notified the California Highway Patrol shortly after finding out about the alleged fraud, General Counsel Matt Jacobs told the CalPERS board.

Jacobs said CHP is investigating. He said the Attorney General’s Office “fully intends to charge the case.”

He shared the additional information after Board Member Margaret Brown said she had received a lot of emails and texts from people asking why Najera, who worked at CalPERS for 25 years, hasn’t been arrested.

“I think it’s a very strong criminal case, no question,” Jacobs said.

The CHP and the Attorney General’s Office each said they could neither confirm nor deny whether they’re investigating.

This story was originally published April 20, 2021 at 11:42 AM.