Steven Johnson not guilty, jury finds...

La Verne councilman found not guilty
By Daniel Tedford, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/30/2009 11:51:08 AM PDT

WEST COVINA - A jury has found a La Verne councilman not guilty of conflict of interest charges, court officials said.

Steven Johnson was on trial in connection with a 2007 vote concerning the University of La Verne expansion and master plan.

Johnson owns property and a business near the university and a satellite office. State law prohibits council members from voting on matters in which they would benefit from an outcome.
Often referred to as the "one penny" rule, members are advised not to vote on projects within 500 feet of their property, even if it benefits them by only one penny.

The jury returned its verdict after four days of testimony and deliberation.

Johnson faced a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine, 6 months in jail and not being able to run for reelection to the city council.

I've received a couple of calls from residents informing me of a community meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the West Covina ballot measure regarding districts.

West Covina Assitant City Clerk Sue Rush says this is not a town hall meeting sponsored by the city, and Fred Sykes, who has sponsored the measure, said he and his supporters are not hosting the meeting, either.

So who is it?

The meeting, according to the tips I got, will be at either the park or community center at Larke Ellen and Cameron in West Covina. Apparently, there are some fliers that were sent out. If anyone has the flier, send it to me at jennifer.mclain@sgvn.com

Another blow to El Monte:

El Monte considers bankruptcy
By Rebecca Kimitch, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/29/2009 01:28:02 AM PDT

EL MONTE - The city council will consider Tuesday whether to initiate Chapter 9 bankruptcy proceedings for El Monte, according to the council's agenda.

The council will consider a resolution that would authorize city staff "to commence all necessary preparations for the initiation of Chapter 9 Municipal Reorganization proceedings under 11 U.S.C. Section 901 et seq."

The steps are necessary "to regain sustainable fiscal solvency" and "gain economic breathing space and to avoid magnifying additional legal liabilities," according to the resolution.

El Monte has faced serious financial troubles since last year, when plunging sales tax revenues and rising employee benefit and retirement costs caused a budget deficit that hasn't gone away since, despite layoffs and cutbacks.

Most recently, it faced a $12 million deficit for the fiscal year that starts Wednesday. To cut $10 million, the city manager laid off 100 employees and recommended other cutbacks, including the closure of one of the city's four fire stations.

The council is expected to approve this staff-recommended budget Tuesday as well.

Despite these cutbacks, the city still faces a $2 million deficit. And a state takeaway of property tax and gas tax revenues - proposed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to address the state's own budget crisis - would bump the deficit to $4 million, according to the resolution.

The resolution authorizes staff to prepare a "pendency plan" for Chapter 9 proceedings and retain special Chapter 9 legal counsel. It requires staff to report back to the city council with a plan of action within a week

Elected water board member John Leung is still behind bars on charges that include forgery and fraud in excess of $1 million.

He is being held on a $1 million bail.

Leung has served on the San Gabreil Valley Municipal Water District since 1992.

Talk about breaking news ...

I just wrapped up this story running in tomorrow's paper:

EL MONTE -- Police arrested the developer of a proposed $1 billion transit-oriented project on suspicion of forgery and embezzlement, among other felony charges, authorities said Sunday.
El Monte police officers took John Leung, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Titan Group, into custody Friday evening. Leung is suspected of forgery, embezzlement, grand theft, burglary and fraud, Police Chief Tom Armstrong said.
Leung, 53, was being held at the Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles on $1 million bond. Calls to Titan Group Sunday went unanswered.
The El Monte-based development company is in exclusive talks with the city to build the El Monte Transit Village -- a 65-acre residential and commercial complex planned for Santa Anita Avenue off the 10 Freeway.
Armstrong said Sunday Leung's case did not in any way involve the city.
"This investigation is ongoing and the victim is not the city of El Monte ... but a private citizen," he said. "That is where we are with it right now."
Officials released few details Sunday about the case, but Armstrong said Leung is alleged to have stolen more than $1 million from the victim.
"If you look at the charges, basically they kind of tell you there was a forgery to obtain money that was not a property of Mr. Leung," Armstrong said.
Armstrong would not comment on whether search warrants were served on Leung or the Titan Group.
He said the Police Department had been looking into the matter "for some time," though he would not specify how long. Armstrong said the victim was referred to El Monte police by the FBI, but he said the bureau is not participating in the department's case.
Officials with the FBI did not return calls seeking comment Sunday night.
"I do not feel (they are) involved in any way shape or form in our case," Armstrong said.
Late Sunday, two El Monte police cars could be seen parked to the rear of the Titan Group offices, at 10501 Valley Blvd.
Doors to the building were locked, but the lights to several offices inside were on.
The arrest took some officials in City Hall by surprise.
"I am sincerely shocked," Councilwoman Emily Ishigaki said. "To me John has been a real visionary. It's just shocking."
Ishigaki said it has yet to be seen how, or if, Leung's arrest will affect the transit village project.
El Monte has been in exclusive talks with the Titan Group since 2007 on the transit village project.
Nearly $70 million in grants have already been awarded for renovations of the El Monte Transit Center, as well as the village portion of the project.
The City Council is expected to have a closed-session meeting about the matter on Tuesday, City Manager Jim Mussenden said.
"We're looking at the managing partnership for the Titan Group to see exactly how they are going to move forward with this," Mussenden said. "There are still other members of the management team."
Ishigaki said city staff members had been working through the weekend to "keep things secured."
"Obviously the city wants to protect its investment for the future development of the site," Mussenden said. "If there's an issue we are going to address it ... I don't want to sit here and say we are going to be working with another developer."
Councilwoman Patricia Wallach declined to comment on the investigation Sunday. Mayor Ernie Gutierrez and council members Juventino "J" Gomez and Art Barrios did not return calls seeking comment.
Officials expect to send their case against Leung to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office this week.
Records show Leung is due in Rio Hondo Municipal Court in El Monte on Tuesday.
Armstrong said Leung's bail was originally set at $20,000. But investigators sought a bail enhancement because Leung is considered a flight risk.
"I frankly am not sure if he is still a citizen of China or not, but certainly he travels frequently and my understanding is (the enhancement is) due to being a flight risk," Armstrong said.

The Irwindale Chamber of Commerce is going to take a trip to Egypt, and what's you to join it. I called the Chamber to get more info, but the office is closed today.

I'm not sure what the details are...like cost and why and who this is open to and whether any tax dollars are involved, but here is the press release:

IRWINDALE - The Irwindale Chamber of Commerce invites you to travel with the chamber to Egypt, departing March 5-13, 2010. Cruise the Nile on traditional feluccas, discover unforgettable attractions like the Pyramids and bustling Cairo, the chaotic bazaars and the fascinating Nile-side towns.

Indus Travels will host a pre-tour presentation on Wednesday, June 17, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at the Irwindale Community Center, located at 16102 Arrow Hwy, Irwindale. For more information please contact the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce at (626) 960-6606.

From Reporter Tania Chatila...

LA PUENTE - Investigators from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office served search warrants today at the home of La Puente City Councilman Louie A. Lujan and his campaign treasurer.

Spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said the warrants were executed at the homes of Lujan and Carmen Torres as part of a criminal investigation. Specifics of the investigation were not immediately available.

Various campaign records were seized, including checks, Gibbons said.

The District Attorney's Public Integrity Division is leading the probe.

Lujan did not immediately respond to a message left for him early this afternoon.

Lujan was first elected to the City Council in March 2001.

La Puente Councilman

http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_12570505

Driving through Baldwin Park the other day I noticed some significant progress on Morgan Park.

City officials had originally planned for a million-dollar upgrade to the city's most popular park. But when $600,000 in state bond money fell through the cracks because of budget cuts, the plans looked like they were going to be shelved.

Officials had said they would look into alternatives to complete the retrofit. Looks like it worked.

With City Council elections coming up in November, we're getting all sorts of information about who's running and who isn't in our local San Gabriel Valley cities.

In South El Monte, Mayor Blanca Figueroa announced Tuesday night that while she will be running for council, she won't be running for mayor again.

Reporter Rebecca Kimitch said instead, Figueroa will be throwing her mayoral support behind Councilman Louie Aguinaga.

Biggest news of the day comes out of Temple City .....

It will be interesting to see how this probe unfolds in the coming days and weeks.

El Monte city officials are eliminating 100 positions today, including that of Public Information Officer Matt Weintraub, reporter Rebecca Kimitch tells us.

The cuts, of course come in response to a massive $12 million budget deficit.

Kimitch, who attended a special meeting this morning about the layoffs, said Weintraub was sad about the news, but he plans to go on early retirement.

Meanwhile, others in City Hall will also be losing their jobs. Kimitch says staffing at all city parks will be cut to only one employee from three.

More to come in tomorrow's paper.

Reporters Amanda Baumfeld and Alfred Lee are covering all the courthouse drama surrounding Temple CIty Mayor Judy Wong, former Mayor Cathe Wilson and former City Council candidate Scott Carwile.

They were all indicted this morning on felony charges of bribery, perjury and other counts related to a corruption probe into their dealings with a local project developer.

This story is developing and we're sure to have more later ... for now, read the rest of the update here

From Mike Eng's office:

BILL TO INCREASE GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY, END SERIAL MEETINGS PASSES SENATE COMMITTEE

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Assembly Bill 1494, authored by Assemblymember Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park), was approved today with by the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization by a vote of 9-0.

Specifically, AB 1494 will provide state government boards and commissions with clarity regarding the prohibition of 'serial meetings,' which are discussions or decisions on agenda items that are made behind closed doors away from the public's view. The Bagley-Keene Act was established to assure that all state-related business be conducted in an open forum for the public to participate.

"AB 1494 strengthens the prohibition on serial meetings to make sure that agenda item discussions and votes are discussed or voted on in a public setting," Assemblymember Eng stated before members of the Senate policy committee. "Over time, the decorum of some board and commission members, as well as changes in technology, have poked holes in the state open meetings laws and this bill closes those holes."

AB 1494 will next go before the entire Assembly for a vote

Azusa is dedicating a new water facility today -- but it's not just any water facility, it's the most expensive capital project in Azusa Light and Water's history, reporter Daniel Tedford reports.

The $36 million Canyon Water Filtration Plant, at 1870 Ranch Road, replaces outdated technology and can filter through 12 million gallons of water a day. That old plant could only process 7.5 million gallons a day.

Here's a few graphs of a story I wrote to run in Tuesday's paper about La Puente wanting to tighten rules on where sex offenders can live:

The City Council will vote tonight on whether to approve regulations further limiting where sex crime convicts can live.

Among the proposed regulations are prohibiting more than one registered sex offender from living in a multi-family dwelling or a hotel, and expanding state laws that already prohibit sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools and parks.

There are currently 136 sex offenders registered in La Puente, according to state records.

"I think it's time we put this on the books," Councilwoman Nadia Mendoza said, "to let people know that this is something we're going to be watching out for, for the safety of our children and for any victims and for any families that will be moving in."

In 2006, California voters passed Proposition 83, more commonly known as Jessica's Law, which requires sex offenders to register their addresses with law enforcement and bans them from living within 2,000 feet of schools and parks.

In La Puente, if approved, in addition to parks and schools this ordinance would also make it illegal for sex offenders to live within 2,000 feet of open space, trails and child care centers.

There's been a lot of debate on whether Jessica's Law - and these tougher city ordinances - essentially restrict sex offendres from living anywhere once they finishing serving time. What do you think? Are these ordinances too restrictive or just right?

I wrote this story in Saturday's paper about an investigation into whether Baldwin Park Councilman Ricardo Pacheco berated a department head in a recent telephone conversation.

Since I couldn't fit everything into the story, I thought I'd throw a couple of other quotes here on the blog.

Mainly, Mayor Manuel Lozano had some harsh words for Pacheco, with Lozano comparing his fellow peer to council members in South Gate who landed in jail.

"(Pacheco) was highly trained in South Gate on how to play dirty politics," Lozano said. "He's no different than politicians in South Gate that ended up in prison."

Lozano also said Pacheco has a history of berating employees -- "I think at this point, he just got caught."

Pacheco denies all of the allegations and said the entire City Council is conspiring against him because he filed intent forms to run against Lozano for the mayor's spot in November.

Here ya go, a little bit early:

It's been a tough last several days for city leaders in the San Gabriel Valley, who have had to deal with a host of serious issues ranging from potential harassment to misdemeanor charges.

Let's start with Temple City, which is short a council member following David Capra's resignation last week. Capra pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a misdemeanor campaign finance violation -- he failed to report a campaign contribution of $1,000 or more between Jan. 25, 2007, and March 19, 2007, staff writer Alfred Lee reported.

As part of his plea deal, Capra agreed to give up his seat on the council and has also agreed not to run for public office again for four years. In addition, Capra has been placed on 36 months probation and will pay a $150 fine, according to Lee's story.

In a statement, Capra blamed the resignation on health issues. "My health has deteriorated since my recent stroke and my decision to resign is in large part due to my current health concerns," he said in the statement.

Regardless of the reason, Temple City is now left to pick up the pieces, including appointing a new council member and dealing with the fallout of a Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office investigation into allegations Capra, Mayor Judy Wong and former Mayor Cathy Wilson solicited bribes from a developer.

Since Capra pleaded guilty to the campaign violation charge, he's off the hook in the bribery case. But that doesn't mean Wong and Wilson are out of hot water. That case is pending.

Moving on to Baldwin Park, an investigation was just opened to determine whether Councilman Ricardo Pacheco harassed, intimidated or retaliated against a city department head during a recent telephone interview.

Different versions of the story are floating around with some saying Pacheco cussed out this unnamed department head, and called for his or her resignation. Pacheco denies all the allegations and says these are all ploys in an election year.

He accused his peers on the dais of lying and playing political games.

"I have been a council member for more than 10 years. I have never ever disrespected anybody on this city ... (This is) basically because (the rest of the council members) have no allegations to make about me. I haven't been arrested. My residence isn't in question. I don't throw people out of council meetings. My family members don't work here."

Councilman Anthony Bejarano -- who initially requested the review -- said the issue isn't personal, and it's the city's legal duty to investigate such allegations.

Bejarano also referred to West Covina, and the millions of dollars in lawsuits officials are facing there from harassment claims.

"We just want to make sure we do our due diligence under the law," he said. "If it turns out this was nothing that rises to the level of harassment or retaliation -- good."

Reporter Daniel Tedford went out to a pot farm bust in Hacienda Heights this morning.

A house in an upscale gated community was crawling with about 4,400 marijuana plants, according to authorities.

The story is interesting enough, except Daniel had this tidbit to add about the community's welcome sign ---The motto:

As Irwindale gears up for a meeting on Wednesday to follow-up a discussion about switching to the sheriff's department, the recommendation has sparked quite a debate about the Irwindale police department.

One area I will be exploring is the the advantages of having the sheriff's patrol your neighborhood versus a municipal police agency.

While there may be cost savings in contracting out with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, officials supporting municipal police agencies argue that cost savings may not be worth the loss of local control.

Open Forum: What are the advantages and disadvantages to a city having its own police department compared with contracting out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department?

It's 4 vs. 1 and Baldwin Park Councilman Ricardo Pacheco is the one whose outnumbered.

An investigation into whether Pacheco berated a department head is getting heated, with Pacheco accusing his peers on the dais of lying and playing political games.

The council agreed Wednesday night to open the review, which will determine whether Pacheco harassed, intimidated or retaliated against a member of the city's executive team during a recent telephone interview.

Different versions of the story are floating around with some saying Pacheco cussed this unnamed department head out, and called for their resignation. Pacheco denies all the allegations and says these are all ploys in an election year.

"I have been a council member for more than 10 years. I have never every disrespected anybody on this city ... (This is) basically because (the rest of the council members) have no allegations to make about me. I haven't been arrested. My residence isn't in question. I don't throw people out of council meetings. My family members don't work here."

Councilman Anthony Bejarano said Wednesday the issue isn't personal, and it's the city's legal duty to investigate such allegations.

Bejarano also referred to West Covina, and the millions of dollars in lawsuits it is facing from harassment claims.

"We just want to make sure we do our due diligence under the law," he said. "If it turns out this was nothing that rises to the level of harassment or retaliation -- good."

More to come in tomorrow's paper.