Former Golden Plains schools trustee indicted for perjury

A former trustee of the Golden Plains Unified School District board has been indicted by the Fresno County criminal grand jury for perjury and false declaration of candidacy, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday.

Presentacion Sanchez is accused of three counts of perjury and one count of false declaration of candidacy in connection with candidate filings for the 2014 school district election. He was arrested Thursday and booked into the Fresno County Jail on $20,000 bail. His arraignment has not been scheduled.

The District Attorney’s newly formed Public Integrity Unit presented the case to the grand jury after receiving information from the public.

Brandi Orth, Fresno County registrar of voters, said elections officials have to rely on statements made under the penalty of perjury.

“I really appreciate the District Attorney’s interest in investigating these matters and working with my office to ensure the integrity of the election process,” Orth said.

This story was originally published August 13, 2015 at 6:19 PM with the headline "Former Golden Plains schools trustee indicted for perjury."