In a tale that seems ripped from the pages of a crime novel, the former head honcho of the Panoche Drainage District, Dennis Falaschi, has found himself in hot water—literally. The man entered a guilty plea in a Fresno federal court, owning up to a conspiracy that siphoned off millions of gallons of public water for private profit. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment caper; it was a scheme that had been flowing under the radar for over 20 years.
The Backstory of a Watergate
Let’s rewind to where it all started. The Sacramento Bee’s ace reporters Dale Kasler and Ryan Sabalow first broke this story in 2022, revealing how Falaschi directed his crew to divert water from the Delta-Mendota Canal—part of the Central Valley Project (CVP)—as far back as 1992. The kicker? None of these shenanigans were ever reported to the feds, let alone paid for.
Audit Trails and Legal Tangles
The plot thickened in 2017 when California’s financial watchdogs sniffed out some fishy business. The State Controller’s audit flagged the Panoche Water District for playing fast and loose with their finances, allowing officials to treat district credit cards like personal piggy banks for everything from concert tickets to slot machines. This financial fiasco led to state criminal charges against Falaschi and three others for allegedly embezzling a cool $100,000 for their own indulgences. Falaschi bailed from his general manager gig, but his troubles were just beginning.
A Costly Settlement and a Guilty Plea
Fast forward to 2021, and the Panoche Drainage District was cutting a check to Uncle Sam for $7.5 million to settle up for the water they’d been taking on the sly. But the real reckoning came on May 29, 2024, when Falaschi stood before a judge and admitted to the conspiracy and to cooking the books on his tax returns to hide the ill-gotten gains from those illicit water sales.
Come September 16th, Falaschi will learn his fate. He’s staring down the barrel of eight years in the clink and a $350,000 hit to his wallet in criminal penalties.
The Tip of the Iceberg
But wait, there’s more. Federal prosecutors hint that Falaschi wasn’t acting alone. They’ve got evidence that points to a whole cast of characters—board members, supervisors, employees—all dipping their hands in the proverbial water jar. It’s likely Falaschi will be singing like a canary about his co-conspirators in the days to come.
A Widespread Issue with Deep Roots
This isn’t just a one-off event. The illegal diversion and sale of water is a story as old as the West itself. For those curious about the historical backdrop of water woes, check out “Cadillac Desert” by Marc Reisner and “The Dreamt Land” by Mark Arax—two must-reads that dive deep into the Western U.S. water saga.
The Challenge of Enforcement
Cracking down on water theft is no simple task. For starters, the penalties for such crimes are often too lenient to scare off would-be water bandits. Plus, some prosecutors don’t treat environmental crimes with the same gravity as other offenses like robbery or bribery.
Applause for Prosecutorial Persistence
Nonetheless, hats off to the federal prosecutors who are going after Falaschi and his accomplices. Here’s hoping the judge throws the book at him, sending a crystal-clear signal that environmental crimes won’t be taken lightly.
What’s Next: California’s Legal Landscape and New Legislation
Later this week, we’ll dive into why water theft is particularly problematic under California law and discuss some proposed legislation aimed at tightening the screws on environmental thieves. Stay tuned for that.
From the scandalous acts in the San Joaquin Valley to the halls of justice in Fresno and Merced Counties, this story of water theft is a stark reminder of the value and vulnerability of our precious water resources. It’s a wake-up call for stricter enforcement and a rallying cry for all of us to value the liquid gold that flows through our state.
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