The case goes to the next step.

"We've reviewed the case, we accepted it for prosecution and we're prepared to go forward," District Attorney Jaime Esparza said. [click on link below for the complaint and charging documents]

Quintana and her lawyer, Luis Aguilar, could not be reached for comment.

Aguilar took over as Quintana's almost two weeks ago, in a move that marked a turnaround from the initial flurry of accusations by Quintana and her previous lawyer, Theresa Caballero, that the charges are trumped up because of Quintana's opposition to the City Council majority and other power brokers in the city.

The charges against Quintana stemmed from an incident Oct. 25, according to the arrest warrant. [npt background]

Quintana allegedly forged a letter that would allow her to use a Fed-Ex travel voucher that gives employees free or discounted flights. Quintana previously worked for Fed-Ex, the complainant in the case. The document filed by the district attorney Monday (Nov. 26) includes a copy of the letter allegedly forged by Quintana, which purportedly was signed by supervisor Albert Martinez. He has denied he signed the letter.

The warrant alleges that on Oct. 25, Quintana, who was with her daughter, tried to board an 11:10 a.m. flight to Sacramanto on Southwest Airlines, using two vouchers, but was stopped after she failed to provide identification showing she was a current Fed-Ex employee.

Quintana went to the Fed-Ex offices at 1701 Hawkins, according to the warrant, which cites witness statements and a visitors log as proof that she was there.

Her former supervisor said he did not give her any letter showing she was a Fed-Ex employee, according to the warrant, which states that at 4:20 p.m. Quintana showed up at the Southwest ticket counter with a letter stating that she was a current employee, and she and her daughter were able to board a flight.

"The investigation revealed that the letter was presented by the Defendant was an altered Federal Express letter and the signature on the letter had been forged," states the warrant.

Related Documents: