Former Chula Vista City Councilwoman Andrea Cardenas, who pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining pandemic relief funds and unemployment benefits, was sentenced Wednesday to two years of probation and credit for time served for one day spent in custody.
Cardenas, 32, and her brother, Jesus Cardenas, admitted to fraudulently obtaining a $176,227 Paycheck Protection Program loan in early 2021 intended for their political consulting firm, Grassroots Resources. The money was meant to support payroll for 34 employees who actually worked for a marijuana dispensary that was a Grassroots client.
Both siblings will likely seek to have their felony convictions reduced to misdemeanors at some point, but that cannot happen until they pay full restitution. Cardenas was ordered Wednesday to pay over $176,000 to the Small Business Administration and over $28,000 to the Employment Development Department, which will be paid by both her and her brother.
Cardenas' sentencing came about five months after her brother was sentenced to two years probation and 180 days in custody, with the custodial time spent in the work furlough program and home detention. As part of their pleas, six other felony counts of conspiracy, money laundering and failing to file tax returns were dismissed.
"Losing your job, a significant fall from grace, and the end of a political career is punishment in itself," Bernal argued.
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