Oh, that Irwindale

In an interview with Irwindale resident Dena Zepeda about the city's Citizen of the Year award, she makes a dig at the city's shady past. “He is a good person,” Zepeda said of Sal Hernandez, whose selection as the Chamber's Citizen of the Year was put on hold because the chamber found a 'discrepency' in the process.

“I wouldnt stick up for him if were a child molester, spiked enchiliads or picked up a prostitute,” Zepeda said. LOL! I don't know if the chld molester reference has anything to do with Irwindale, but the spiked enchiladas and prostitution pick up sure do.

Metro Editor Edward Barrera wrote in his column: "In the early '70s, Richard Diaz, who was a longtime mayor, was the target of a blackmail plot that involved spiked enchiladas, lewd pictures, drugged drinks and chloroform. All were an attempt to blackmail him into backing legalized gambling in the city. The effort failed, and people went to jail in connection with that mess."

And this was reported in the Trib on Oct. 6, 2004 about former Irwindale City Manager Steve Blancarte:

Steven Joseph Blancarte Jr., 50, of Altadena was cited on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution Sept. 16.
Blancarte verified he was cited. An undercover officer arrested Blancarte about 7:50 p.m., then cited and released him, she said. Police made four arrests that night: Blancarte on suspicion of soliciting prostitution and three women for alleged prostitution.