Alleged HOA embezzler to face two felonies: Prosecutors to seek felony, embezzlement charges despite judge’s ruling

Although a judge noted he didn’t believe there was enough to charge Lambert and co-conspirator Michael Anthony Medeiros with forgery, he agreed prosecutors had enough to charge for felony embezzlement, said Assistant District Attorney Al Serrato. The judge’s agreement with the embezzlement charge allows prosecutors to continue and Serrato said the district attorney plans to proceed with the forgery charge as well.

“We’re going to be able to file that charge and proceed forward in a normal fashion,” Serrato said. “We’re confident that we’re going to be able to establish this beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.”

Lambert’s attorney said he does not comment on pending litigation.

Lambert and Medeiros, the owner of a painting company, have both pleaded not guilty and will return for Superior Court arraignment June 21, Serrato said.

Lambert, a 64-year-old Fremont resident, remains in custody on $1 million bail, and Medeiros, a 58-year-old Fremont resident, is currently out on $1 million bail bond.

Lambert was responsible for overseeing the 990-unit condominium community off Peninsula Avenue and Delaware Street. The 30-acre site boasts a lake, five swimming pools, private courtyards, clubhouse, spa, 18-hole putting green, four tennis courts, two saunas, a gym and billiard room.

Lambert had worked for the association, which has nearly a $5 million annual budget, for more than a decade. She’s been charged with issuing false invoices for construction work that was never completed, then conspiring with Medeiros who deposited the checks and shared the money with Lambert.

Members of the Woodlake Homeowners Association Board of Directors caught wind of the theft in late 2013 after Lambert was fired and reported it to San Mateo police. After a two-year investigation, Lambert was arrested in September and Medeiros caught shortly after.

Serrato said the extensive amount of evidence may have contributed to the lengthy preliminary hearing on the two felony charges, for which the duo could face a maximum of six or eight years if found guilty.