Former County Hospital Worker Arrested For Embezzlement

A former employee at the Riverside County Regional Medical Center was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of burglary and embezzling from the county hospital auxiliary.

Crystal Howard, 35, of Moreno Valley, was arrested after hospital officials notified the Riverside County Sheriff?s Department about concerns regarding the auxiliary?s funds, said Sgt. David Knudson.

?We contacted the sheriff?s department when we suspected there was an issue,? said Ellie Bennett, the hospital?s chief operating officer. Hospital officials are continuing to cooperate with the investigators.

Howard had worked at the hospital for 14 years.

After being served with a termination notice, she resigned June 15 from her executive assistant position.

Over the next several weeks, investigators conducted interviews and obtained evidence related to the allegations.

Investigators said they learned Howard had stolen money from the auxiliary fund and had made unauthorized purchases at numerous locations throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Bennett stressed she could not comment specifically about the case but said anyone who violates the law must face the consequences.

?There is no room in our organization for anyone who would abuse a position of trust or misappropriate funds,? she said.

Howard was later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for burglary and embezzlement.