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Ex-A.S. lab chief faces felony charges
Justine DaCosta and Saadia Malik, Daily Staff Writers
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Robert Madrigal, former information and technology manager at the A.S. computer lab, was charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor, according to records released by the Santa Clara County Clerk's office.
Capt. Bruce Lowe of the UPD said the charges against Madrigal was involve computer equipment.
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"He took existing purchase orders that were made out to various vendors," Lowe said. "He altered the vendor's name. He altered the amount on the purchase order. And then he made them all out to a third vendor and then went to that third vendor and picked up more than $90,000 in computer equipment."
Lowe said once Madrigal acquired the merchandise, he used it as his own personal property.
"There's a lot more to this case," Lowe said. "We're still investigating it."
On Oct. 16, A.S. management provided the UPD with information that linked Madrigal to the crime, Lowe said.
On Oct. 28, UPD investigators Robert Noriega and Philip Kearney informed UPD officers of the situation and told them to be on the look out for Madrigal, said UPD officer Michael Barnes.
Later on that day, Barnes, who said he knew Madrigal and was familiar with the places where he hung out, found him exiting a vehicle near the corner of 16th and Julian streets.
Barnes said Madrigal, who appeared to be under the influence of a stimulant, did not act surprised when he was approached by the officer and did not protest the arrest.
"He was 100 percent cooperative," Barnes said.
Blood technicians were called to police headquarters where they drew Madrigal's blood and tested it for impurities.
According to the court clerk's office, Madrigal is charged with misdemeanor 11550, which indicates the person charged was under the influence of a stimulant or methamphetamine. Barnes said the drug could possibly be cocaine or crack cocaine.
Lowe said the two felony charges brought against Madrigal are grand theft and embezzlement.
Alfonso de Alba, executive director of A.S., said Madrigal was terminated as an A.S. employee on Oct. 14.
De Alba said A.S. could not disclose the reasons for his termination.
Although de Alba wouldn't comment on the charges against Madrigal, he did say he was shocked to learn of the allegations.
"Here's someone you work with and you hear something like that?" de Alba said. "But these are charges against him -- he's not convicted."
De Alba said Madrigal had worked for him for about two years and was in good standing with A.S. up until his termination.
According to the court clerk's office, Madrigal has requested representation by the public defender's office. His arraignment is scheduled for today at 9:30 a.m. at the Santa Clara County Superior Court.
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