More mayoral scandal...
This time it's out of Ontario City Hall...
Mayor returns to his duties
Leon is mum after apology
Andrea Bennett, Staff Writer
Article Created: 06/17/2008 10:27:11 PM PDT
ONTARIO - Mayor Paul Leon presided over Tuesday evening's City Council meeting a day after he released a statement apologizing for "recent errors in judgment in my private life" but denying any wrongdoing as a city official.
At the June 3 meeting, from which Leon was absent, attorney Loredana Nesci claimed the mayor, who is a pastor, was having an affair with a city-contracted employee, registered for a suite at the DoubleTree Hotel under "Paul Santo" and spent campaign funds on a personal trainer.
As Tuesday evening's meeting began, Leon told the audience his statement in Tuesday's Daily Bulletin was all that he would say on the matter.
During the invocation, Pastor Larry Enriguez spoke at length about Jesus' words to a mob prepared to lynch an adultress: "He who is without sin, cast the first stone."
Later, during public comments, Nesci addressed the mayor's public apology.
"I want to say while I'm sure everyone appreciates the mayor's public apology for his `private conduct,' I need to remind the mayor that when such conduct includes a relationship with a city-contracted employee on city-owned property, that conduct is no longer private. ..."
In his statement Monday, Leon dismissed claims he misused campaign funds and said he hired a "third-party, campaign finance expert to conduct a comprehensive audit" to be made public.
Nesci said she would not accept such actions in exchange for an investigation she called for June 3.
"It's mildly interesting he's calling it a `third-party consultant' if he hired him," Nesci said before the meeting. "It's like saying, `Let me investigate myself.' ... Regarding his private conduct versus his public conduct, I still want to know how he paid for the hotel."
While Leon said he would continue his work as mayor, he said there were deep wounds that needed healing, "wounds caused by my own errors in judgment."
Mayors Paul Leon from Ontario and Ernie Gutierrez from El Monte should team up. Two little nasty players. They can hang out and drink it up on their city credit cards. Disgraceful and unprofessional politicians. Run them both out of town. Mayor Leon seemed like a nice respectable person. Oh well you never know about our elected representatives.
I am sad to read such news about Mayor Leon. What other things has he done behind our backs. We can not trust him anymore. Was the rest of the city council aware of such behavior? Are they involved in a cover up? We are the ones that are wounded. Not you Leon. You enjoyed it all. Now you say your sorry. Not good enough. You knew good and well what you were getting into. You liar. Time for a new mayor.
I just read this blog about Mayor Leon. I had to call my daughter who lives in Ontario. She was just sick to her stomach to hear what I read to her. Why do politicians do what they do and then go on a crying and gilt trip over what they did? They know what they are doing is just wrong. Mayor Leon needs mental help sessions asap.
Paul Leon needs to step down as the Mayor of Ontario.
What other misjudgements has he committed since taking office? This sneaking around is an insight to what he is capable of. What other things is he doing that are questionable? We can no longer trust this man. He needs to go. The sooner the better for City of Ontario's sake.
i have interesting information about the mayor of ontario and the city employee. i have proof and letters that were written during this affair. please contact me
Send it to the District Attorney's Office.