Woman Arrested in Theft of Funds

A Van Nuys woman has been arrested on suspicion of embezzling more than $100,000 from two political committees of Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson, it was learned Thursday.

But Bernson said the theft did not involve money he will be using to finance his reelection campaign this spring in which he faces seven challengers.

Toni Corpuel, a former bookkeeper for the Encino accounting firm of Howard And Howard, was arrested Wednesday for embezzlement and grand theft, Cmdr. William Booth, Los Angeles Police Department spokesman, confirmed Thursday.

The theft involved funds from Bernson’s “Office-Holder Committee” and from the “Bernson for Lt. Governor 1994 Committee,” according to Jeffrey Krivis, an attorney representing Howard And Howard.

A campaign finance report filed Wednesday at the city clerk’s office by the Office-Holder Committee indicated that $126,629 was embezzled. Neither Bernson, Booth nor Krivis could verify the exact sum involved.

Bernson said in his report to the city clerk that the banks where the committees’ funds were deposited failed to follow agreed-on safeguards by allowing Corpuel to withdraw money with checks signed by her alone, when two signatures were required.

Mitsui Manufacturers Bank has already repaid Bernson’s committee $57,451, which represents its full liability in the matter, according to the Bernson report.

“The balance of $69,178 will be recovered” from the second bank, Security Pacific Bank, the Bernson report added.

Bernson continues to use Leo J. Howard of Howard And Howard as treasurer of his three political committees and to employ the firm as the accountant for the committees. Bernson said he held Howard And Howard blameless, calling it a reputable firm victimized by one of its employees.

Booth said Corpuel, 46, has been released on $15,000 bail and will be arraigned Feb. 20.