VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that four counts of misdemeanor conflict of interest were filed against Raymond Gutierrez Jr. (DOB 11/16/1959), of Ventura, Manager of the Development & Inspection Services Division of the County of Ventura Public Works Agency. Gutierrez made several governmental decisions in which he knew or had reason to know he had a material financial interest.
In December 2014, Gutierrez, who is a licensed real estate broker, acted as the real estate agent for both the buyer and seller of a property located within the County of Ventura. As the dual agent, Gutierrez received $17,000 from the purchaser, a Ventura County developer. During the twelve months following the transaction, Gutierrez, acting in his capacity as a manager in the Ventura County Public Works Agency, approved several grading permits for the developer’s construction projects in Ventura County. Gutierrez also approved a grading permit for the Ventura County property for which he brokered the sale.
The case was investigated by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the County of Ventura Public Works Agency. Gutierrez’s arraignment is scheduled for August 20, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11. Each conflict of interest charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in county jail.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.
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