Former Placerville Mayor Pleads Guilty To Abusing Office
PLACERVILLE (CBS13) - Former Placerville mayor David Machado pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy to obstruct justice and conflict of interest by a public official.
Under a plea agreement, Machado was placed on three years formal probation, ordered to serve 120 days in county jail, which he can fulfill through community service, ordered to pay a fine of $5,000, and resign from any public office, commission or board, according to the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office.
Machado, 54, is also barred from holding any public office in the future.
Machado ran from our CBS13 camera after entering his plea. The charges stem from real estate dealings and using his power improperly to influence city leaders to obtain preferential treatment.
As part of the deal he had to admit in writing that he was guilty of the crimes. But when reporter Laura Cole tried to talk to him, only his attorney responded.
"You don't want to say anything to the people of Placerville?" Cole asked.
"Ma'am, don't you understand English? He has been directed by me to make no comments," his attorney responded.
"But he was the mayor of Placerville," Cole replied.
"Is there a language disability here?" the attorney asked.
"No, but he was the mayor of Placerville. Doesn't he owe them an apology?" Cole asked as Machado and his attorney walked away.
The case stemmed from a complaint by a Placerville city official regarding property Machado owns. He was arrested last August and a grand jury indicted him in October.
The council stripped Machado of his mayor title after his arrest but he was still legally allowed to remain on the council. He resigned his seat on Tuesday.
As part of his deal, he had to put the following in writing…
"I am admitting guilt to the charged crimes because I am in fact guilty to those offenses. I admit wrongdoing for my actions and am accepting responsibility for what I have done."
District Attorney Vern Pierson said people like Machado make it hard for the public to trust their elected leaders.
"We have to take someone like this and what he did seriously because otherwise it really taints our entire system," he said.
