Tijuana

A woman who worked in the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that she embezzled $73,000 from the consulate in 1986, U.S. Atty. Peter Nunez said Thursday.

Mercedes B. Bustamante, 34, a Mexican citizen, was charged with six counts of embezzlement, interstate transportation of stolen property, and making false statements in connection with a federal investigation.

Bustamante was head cashier at the consulate when the funds were embezzled from April to June, 1986, according to the indictment. She is charged with illegally transporting a portion of the proceeds to San Ysidro and lying to federal investigators to hide the embezzlement.

Bustamante has been arrested and freed on a $150,000 personal surety bond. She is to be arraigned Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Roger Curtis McKee.

She faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.