The couple is accused of defrauding multiple benefit programs. In one case described in court documents, Fuentes, who worked as a senior eligibility examiner for the city’s Department of Social Services, approved Badillo’s benefit application without disclosing their relationship. As Social Services investigators wrote in an affidavit, Badillo reported a monthly income of $1,000 but had no assets, property or vehicles.
While receiving government benefits, Fuentes and Badillo made more than $2 million in combined annual income from three towing companies, owned four properties in San Francisco and bought a Lamborghini worth more than $280,000 last year, according to court documents.
The criminal case remains unresolved.
“It’s still ongoing, all the facts are still being ascertained, there’s a lot of discovery, a lot of dynamics at play, and I think people need to keep an open mind,” said attorney Allen Sawyer, who is representing Badillo in the case.
An attorney representing Fuentes did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
An employee with the telephone dispatch service that takes Auto Towing calls said Tuesday that the company has been dissolved.
Chiu added that he had heard the company had closed but “didn’t know anything for sure.”
Chiu said suspension proceedings have become more frequent because recently enacted laws “have made it easier for the city to suspend contractors accused of crimes related to their ability to receive city funds, and given them the authority to proceed more quickly.”
According to the city attorney’s office, during the fiscal year that ended in June, the office issued suspension orders or filed requests for debarment against 29 individuals or entities, compared with 11 suspensions or debarments in the previous three years.
