Former Theater Manager Admits to Stealing Money

District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced Monday that John Stewart Mathieson, 35, of Santa Barbara, Calif., pleaded no contest to one count of felony embezzlement.

Mathieson, who was employed as a manager at the Fiesta 5 Theatre at 916 State St., admitted to stealing almost $5,200 in cash from the theater between April 1 and June 2.

Mathieson also admitted to detectives from the Santa Barbara Police Department that he destroyed paperwork to cover up his theft.

The investigation also revealed that he disabled security cameras that were monitoring the area where the thefts took place.

Mathieson will be sentenced in Santa Barbara County Superior Court on Nov. 21.