GALT, CA (MPG) - Former Liberty Ranch High School Athletics Booster Club Treasurer Carmela Cuadrado Baker was arrested by Galt Police officers on July 25 following a months-long investigation into unauthorized purchases totaling nearly $200,000 from the organization’s account.

The Liberty Ranch Athletics Booster Club supports school sports programs and activities, serving hundreds of student-athletes and their families.

According to a statement posted by the Galt Police Department on social media July 25, Baker was identified as the primary suspect in a theft report submitted on March 8 involving significant financial loss.

The missing funds were discovered by a Booster Club board member during a routine audit.

On March 26, The Galt Herald reported that the organization filed a civil lawsuit against Baker on March 20, accusing her of “buying, receiving, concealing, selling or withholding stolen property, concealment and breach of fiduciary duties.” The lawsuit also named her husband, Paul Baker. 

The civil complaint cited $53,231 on Instacart purchases, $44,412 at Amazon, $27,466 at Walmart, $17,910 at Costco, $12,776 on PayPal, $7,731 at “College,” $4,604 at Disneyland and another almost $85,000 on other miscellaneous expenses.

Detectives served multiple search warrants at those businesses where unauthorized purchases were suspected, which also included the City of Galt Utilities. 

Search warrants were executed at Baker’s residence, where various electronic devices and financial records related to the case were seized, according to detectives.

After reviewing the evidence, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office issued a felony arrest warrant for embezzlement with bail set at $10,000 on July 23.

On the morning of July 25, Galt Police officers attempted to serve the warrant at Baker’s residence but learned she was not home, according to police. Around 2:30 p.m., according to police, officers located her at a business in Elk Grove, where she was taken into custody without incident. 
She was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on felony embezzlement charges.

The Galt Police Department thanked the community and individuals who came forward to provide information throughout the investigation, as well as authorities who worked on the case:

“This case is particularly troubling because the impact reaches far beyond the theft itself. It represents a betrayal of trust against an entire community devoted to supporting our Galt youth. 

“We are proud of the diligent work by our officers and detectives in bringing this case to resolution and ensuring accountability,” the department news release said.