Authorities said the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Lorenzo Ciaramella, was taken into custody after attempting to make a purchase by claiming to be Councilman Steve Nolan on Monday.
The Riverside resident allegedly confessed to the fraud to police. He had previously been arrested for fraud, identity theft and narcotic violations.
Ciaramella is also suspected of ordering several items totaling over $1,500 at a Corona business on Feb. 22, identifying himself as a city official. He had stated the items were for an inner city kid's project.