Two former top San Diego redevelopment officials pleaded not guilty Wednesday to embezzlement charges.
Carolyn Smith and Dante Dayacap allegedly paid themselves and other Southeastern Economic Development Corp. (SEDC) employees more than $800,000 in illegal bonuses during a five-year period.
The state of California filed criminal charges against them on Tuesday.
SEDC oversees taxpayer-sponsored development in San Diego's southeastern neighborhoods. Smith is the former president, Dayacap the former financial director.
Smith and Dayacap were ordered held on $20,000 bail each. They’re facing up to seven years in prison if convicted.
