Embezzler gets nearly 14 years for bilking nonprofit

The former finance director of Community Senior Serv, which assists local seniors, was sentenced today to 13 years and eight months in state prison for embezzling nearly $1 million from the nonprofit.

Fountain Valley resident Medelia Chiong Fernan, 50, was charged last November with 242 felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement for using more than $900,000 in company funds to write checks to her personal account, making it look as though the checks were paid to common vendors.

She pleaded guilty today to 17 of the counts, and was ordered to pay $941,000 in restitution to the Anaheim-based organization, which provides services like Meals on Wheels to county seniors. Fernan served as its finance director from 2004 to 2008.

Fernan was arrested by Orange County District Attorney investigators at her home, which she recently sold, when authorities feared she would leave the country. Fernan had $20,000 in hundred-dollar bills in her purse when she was arrested, according to prosecutors.

Fernan had written 242 corporate checks to various banks, authorities said. A credit card issuer contacted a former president of the nonprofit when they saw the large number of corporate checks deposited into Fernan’s account, authorities said.

Reporter CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (714) 966-4631 or at candice.baker@latimes.com.