BURLEY - Gladys Esquibel, a long-time advocate for Latino rights in the Mini-Cassia region and statewide, has been charged in Cassia County's Fifth District Court with three felony counts of forgery and recording false documents.

If convicted, Esquibel would face up to 42 years in prison.

According to court documents, Esquibel, 68, is accused of forging a power of attorney document in May 1999 and using it to file a quitclaim deed, in which a grantor disclaims interest in a property, in May 2005. She later recorded both documents with Cassia County.

Sheriff's Department Office Investigator Randy Kidd said the Power of Attorney document gave Esquibel authority to sign the name of her husband, Augustin Esquibel, on the quitclaim deed. The quitclaim surrendered Augustin Esquibel's rights to the couple's home to Gladys Esquibel and their daughter, Gaynol Berber. Kidd said he does not anticipate any further charges will be filed.

Gladys and Augustin Esquibel could not be reached for comment Thursday. It is not known if Esquibel has retained an attorney to represent her in the case.

Kidd said it does not appear Berber was involved in the alleged forgeries.

"I found nothing in the investigation to indicate she was aware the documents had been forged," he said.

According to court documents, Gladys Esquibel admitted to investigators in February she had forged Burley attorney Dave Pena's name on the Power of Attorney document.

"She explained that at times, Mr. Pena had allowed her to sign his name, but she admitted she never had his specific permission to sign his name on the power of attorney document," an affidavit signed by Deputy Shannon Taylor reads.

Pena said he had worked at the same law firm as Esquibel, but never authorized her to sign his name on documents. He said she worked as a receptionist for attorney Ray Pena, but not directly for him.

"She never prepared documents for me," he said.

Esquibel has a long history of community activism. She served as chairwoman of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs (ICHA) and has worked with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. According to Boston Globe report, she served as a delegate at the Republican National Convention in 2004.

ICHA Director Margie Gonzalez described Esquibel's work as "very professional, very organized, very passionate."

She said Esquibel continues to serve the Latino community and is very well respected among politicians and peers throughout the state.

David Pena said he has known Esquibel for many years and was "astonished" to hear charges had been filed against her. But he said, even if she is found guilty, the crimes will not detract from her "good work for the good of the community."

"I don't think anything could tarnish her record," he said.

Sven Berg is a staff writer for the South Idaho Press.