California IN BRIEF : NEWPORT BEACH : Official Charged With Embezzlement

Utilities Director Robert J. Dixon, a veteran city official, was arrested in City Hall and charged with embezzling $60,000 from the city. Dixon, 46, allegedly had the city write checks to nonexistent property owners to pay for an easement for a city pipeline to bring well water from Fountain Valley to Newport Beach, police said. The project, city officials said, had been under way for three years with an estimated cost of $3 million. Police Sgt. Andy Gonis said city checks were allegedly deposited in Dixon’s accounts at a rate of about $7,500 a month. Dixon, who is being held in the city jail in lieu of $500,000 bail, has worked for Newport Beach for 17 years.