Former Travel Club Treasurer guilty

Robert Miller Templeton, the ex-treasurer of the Canyon Lake Travel Club from 2017 to 2019, pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $25,000 from the club. The 81-year-old Canyon Lake resident entered a guilty plea to one count of embezzlement by a fiduciary last week, under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, which led to the dismissal of a related felony charge.

Robert Miller Templeton

The admission came after a thorough investigation unveiled Robert’s misuse of funds over a span of nearly three years, ending with his resignation in December 2019. Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Zimel has scheduled Robert’s sentencing for April 23 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. Despite the charges, Robert remains free on his own recognizance until the sentencing date.

The case unfolded when Travis Montgomery, who succeeded Robert as treasurer, conducted an audit revealing suspicious financial activities. According to an arrest warrant declaration by sheriff’s Investigator Charlie Alkire, filed in March 2021, Robert had issued 56 checks from the nonprofit’s account to himself or his personal business, MRT Consulting, totaling $24,061. These transactions were not recorded in the club’s monthly financial statements during his tenure as treasurer, according to court records.

Further investigation confirmed the embezzled funds were deposited into Robert’s account at Wells Fargo.

The arrest declaration highlighted that he managed to carry out these thefts by exploiting his access to the club’s checkbooks and manipulating monthly financial reports to conceal the fraudulent activities.

Robert has been out on bail since he posted a $10,000 bond a day after his arrest in March 2021. He was originally arrested on felony charges of Embezzlement, Grand Theft and Theft by False Pretenses.