Man charged with embezzlement after allegedly stealing more than $24K from Canyon Lake non-profit club

Robert Miller Templeton, 78, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with embezzlement, grand theft, and theft by false pretenses after allegedly stealing more than $24,000 from the Canyon Lake Travel Club.

In August 2020, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office forwarded a criminal complaint to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station Investigations Bureau regarding the embezzlement incident.

According to the Riverside Sheriff’s Department, the investigation revealed that Templeton, a former treasurer of the club, diverted club funds into his personal bank account from January 2017 through December 2019. Investigators found 56 transactions during this period for non-business purposes, totaling more than $24,000.

Templeton was arrested and booked into the Southwest Justice Center without incident. His bail was set at $10,000 and he was released the same day, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 4. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Investigator Alkire at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at 951-245-3300.

In addition to the Travel Club’s case, the Canyon Lake Yacht Club also filed a case with the District Attorney’s office in 2020. According to a representative of the Yacht Club, the case was filed when the club discovered misappropriated funds during the time Templeton served as treasurer. That case is still ongoing, according to the Yacht Club. Like many of the Canyon Lake clubs, the Yacht Club hosts fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for student scholarships.