Robert Katherman of Torrance, CA; Today’s Public Official Misfit

The state of Ohio provided Brian Kenneth Anthony Schuman with a law license in 1997 after he graduated from Cleveland State University Law School.

Bobby and his wife, Marilyn was arraigned on felony charges of embezzlement and of misusing public funds in early October 2014.

Bobby is a board director of the Water Replenishment District of Southern California. Both Bobby and Marilyn are accused of scheming with another water official, Ronald Smith, to funnel $20,000 of public funds through a nonprofit (Adopt a Stormdrain Foundation) they helped operate.

Mr. Smith admitted a month earlier that over a three-year period of time beginning in the summer of 2010, while he was experiencing financial hardships, he and “longtime friend” Katherman devised and carried out a scheme to have West Basin make donations to the Torrance-based Adopt a Stormdrain Foundation and then have the nonprofit white checks paying for Smith’s personal expenses.

Smith was later sentenced to 6-months in jail and five years’ probation. He must also pay $7,765 in remaining restitution, which Bobby and Marilyn would also have to pay to West Basin if convicted.

In a lame effort at levity, Bobby claims he’s innocent, stating he wrote the checks as educational grants and didn’t know Smith used them to pay his rent, boat repairs, children’s tuition and participation in sports and dance programs.

All that’s left now is to see when Bobby will cop a plea for a reduced sentence. When convicted, Bobby will forever be prohibited from every working for any government agency in the state of California. This means he’ll likely be relegated to applying for a job as a greeter at the local Wal-mart.

If the sentencing judge sends Bobby to Folsom, he can order that he be assigned cell No. 614, which means he’ll be bunked up with Clarice (real name is Clarence). If so, Bobby will learn the true benefit of the bribe.