Arroyo Grande woman facing 10 years in prison for embezzlement

September 2, 2021

Ginger Mankins

By KAREN VELIE

A 56-year-old bookkeeper from Arroyo Grande pleaded guilty to six counts of embezzlement on Wednesday with an agreement that she will be sentenced to 10 years in state prison.

Ginger Lee Mankins allegedly stole more than $5 million from Rick Machado Livestock and B&D Farms. Initially charged with 15 felony counts, Mankins pleaded guilty to six counts and admitted that her theft exceeded $500,000.

She is set to be sentenced on Oct. 6. Mankins will also be ordered to repay the money she stole in an amount to be determined by the court.

From May 2007 through Feb. 2018, Mankins pilfered funds from Rick Machado Livestock, according to a criminal complaint. The theft was not discovered until March 2018.

Mankins also allegedly embezzled funds from B&D Farms from Aug. 2012 through Dec. 2019.

Rick Machado Livestock is a livestock auctioneer company operated by Rick and Jill Machado. B&D Farms, operated by Gary McKinsey, grows and sells produce.

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations conducted the embezzlement probe with assistance from the Arroyo Grande Police Department.


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Most small businesses or corporations bigger than a lemonade stand, shouldn’t be using a bookkeeper for Accounting, Hire a Certified Public Accountant. Hindsight is 20 20. ( Yes CPA’s can be crooks too, but very very few. Further if they are any good at being a crook, they will be working at a big Publicly Traded Corporation or in a Government position.) It is sad that the penalties are so weak, I agree she may serve a year, probably pick up some new tricks and back to small accounting.


Sentenced to 10 years will do 1 year.


That is Very Sad , I have Known Rick along Time He is a Very Good Man ,Happy to see some Justice in SLO County , … I myself was Ripped off for $6,500 direct payment for labor to a guy.. never got a dime back .. I know Rick works hard for his money ! Thumbs up!


Any relationship to Howard Mankins, a former SLO Supervisor from AG?