Caltrans employee arrested, accused of misusing state card to fuel up

A Marysville woman has been arrested on suspicion of using state credit cards from her employer, Caltrans, to repeatedly fuel up her personal vehicle.

Christy Winona, 41, was arrested at 1:50 p.m. Thursday at the Caltrans office in Marysville by the California Highway Patrol on suspicion of grand theft, embezzlement and burglary.

According to a CHP press release, a supervisor of Winona's became suspicious when the supervisor noticed irregularities with how much gas Winona reported pumping, and the accompanying receipts.

After watching Winona, the supervisor realized she was visiting the Caltrans building after work hours, going inside to get state credit cards, driving to nearby gas stations and filling up her own vehicle, then returning to the Caltrans office and putting the credit cards back, according to the CHP release.

The CHP reported Winona worked in a clerical capacity for Caltrans and has been employed there for about 10 years.

CHP Officer Jeff Larson said Winona bought an estimated $1,700 worth of gas with the state credit cards over a six-month period.

Winona, of the 2100 block of Walnut Avenue, was booked Thursday into Yuba County Jail, with bail set at $20,000.