California Water Board member who admitted to stealing $30,000 worth of water sentenced to prison

A man who served as a board member for two Southern California water agencies and admitted to stealing $30,000 worth of water for his farm has been sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Daniel Naumann, 66, of Camarillo will also serve two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution.

In March, Naumann admitted to stealing water for his Oxnard farm while he was an elected board member of the United Water Conservation District. He also served as an alternate board member for the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency, officials said.

Both agencies manage and preserve groundwater resources for agricultural purposes in Ventura County and are responsible for allocating water and charging fees to those who pump groundwater.

Naumann, owner and operator of Naumann Family Farms, installed “bypass surrounds” on two commercial water pumps, a Ventura County Sheriff’s Office investigation found. These devices diverted pumped water to his farm's irrigation pipes before the water reached the meters that measure water consumption for billing purposes.

Between 2019 and 2021, Naumann pumped groundwater using these diversion devices, saving $29,301 in fees owed to Fox Canyon.

“While serving as an elected member of a water board charged with preserving groundwater in Ventura County, the defendant stole groundwater for his own agricultural uses,” said board member Anthony Wold. public integrity unit of the Ventura County Prosecutor's Office.

Wold said Naumann accepted responsibility for his actions when faced with a “sophisticated and thorough” investigation.

Naumann pleaded guilty to one count of water theft, striking a deal to avoid multiple criminal charges.

He resigned from the United board around this time. In his resignation letter, Naumann spoke about his more than 30 years of service, but did not mention the criminal case, according to the Ventura County Star.

In addition to his prison sentence, Naumann will have to repay the $30,000 stolen from the water agencies.

He has been released on probation at this time and is due to report to prison on June 17.