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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A former employee of the city of Downey and another man pleaded not guilty today to three felony charges stemming from an alleged scheme that prosecutors say cost the city more than $60,000.
Former city employee Alejandro âAlex'' Silva, 47, and Mike Shafer, 59, are charged with one felony count each of embezzlement of government funds, misappropriation of public funds and grand theft, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Silva -- who was a lead worker for the city's maintenance and facilities department -- is accused of assisting Shafer in the alleged scheme in which personal items were allegedly ordered online with a business credit card and invoices were sent to city officials by disguising the items as car parts, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Shafer, also known as Mike Shidfar, worked as a manager for an auto parts store, according to the District Attorney's Office.
A date is scheduled to be set Aug. 27 for a hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to require the two to stand trial.
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