Couple plead guilty in adoption theft case

Author: KJCT8.com Staff
POSTED: 02:00 PM MST Jan 30, 2013    UPDATED: 08:28 AM MST Jan 15, 2013 
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -

A former Grand Junction couple pleaded guilty Monday to felony theft charges, while several other charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement.

Anthony Padilla, Jr. and his wife, Venica Padilla, had been accused of defrauding more than $53,000 from an adoption program.

The Padillas falsely said they were financially supporting two adopted daughters.     

Mrs. Padilla is a former Mesa County Department of Human Services case manager.

The two face a restitution hearing June 3rd.

It wasn't immediately clear if the terms of the plea deal included jail time.

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