A former Glendale city councilman was indicted this week on 28 felony criminal charges stemming from allegation that he embezzled over $800,000 from the popular Montrose Farmers Market, laundered the money through his own bank account and filed false financial statements to cover it up. Former mayor John Drayman was the general manager of the farmers market from 2004 through 2011 when he was ousted from that position. According to reports, the farmers market had lost over $50,000 in 2011 when an oversight committee was formed to look into the market's finances. As general manager, Drayman was in charge of collecting money from vendors. Shortly after a new general manager was brought in to run the market, revenues started increasing, which threw suspicion on Drayman's management of the market's finances.

Drayman was arrested following a nearly year-long investigation and has been charged with one count of embezzlement, 10 counts of filing a false tax return, eight counts of perjury, five counts of money laundering, three counts of forgery and one count of filing a false financial statement. He remains in police custody in lieu of $200,000 bail. Drayman had maintained his position as the market's general manager even after being elected to Glendale City Council in 2007.

Categorised in: Money Laundering