Obdula-Banuelos Esparza, a former Santa Clara County Fairgrounds employee, has been accused of accepting thousands of dollars in bribes each month from Richmond-based 4Diamond Security during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.

These accusations follow a yearlong investigation triggered by an anonymous whistleblower, revealing that Esparza engaged in a quid-pro-quo arrangement with 4Diamond, along with other alleged misconduct. If found guilty, Esparza could face up to four years in prison on charges of felony extortion and bribery.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, the bribes initially started at around $2,500 per month and eventually increased to nearly $4,000 per month. Esparza allegedly threatened to terminate the security firm’s contract if they did not comply with her demands.

The investigation also suggests that when 4Diamond refused to continue paying, their contract was not renewed.

While the exact benefits 4Diamond received from this arrangement are unclear, fiscal reports show the fairgrounds spent over $291,000 in 2020 and $626,000 in 2021 on “security and sheriff” expenses. A spokesperson for 4Diamond declined to comment on their relationship with Esparza but indicated that a press release might be forthcoming.

Salene Duarte, co-executive director of the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, stated that Esparza resigned from her position in May and emphasized that such behavior has no place at the fairgrounds.

Esparza, who is expected to surrender to authorities, was initially hired as a “Marketing and Events Consultant” in late 2018, according to her LinkedIn profile.