UPDATED: SGV round-up

Lewis did the same thing in Rosemead in 2005. So maybe in two years he'll get convicted for those violations? The FPCC really needs to get off its collective butt and start enforcing the laws.

I am confused?...nothing new I might add -

Was the campaign manager "convicted" of voter fraud?
or did she enter a no contest plea, which is not the same as being convicted?

Where did Montebello decide to let the voters decide on what trash haulers to use? The article you reference indicates that the Council did NOT decide to move forward with the voter backed referendum?

She was CONVICTED. Also now the DA is looking into Roger Hernandez and his ties to Felipe Agredano. Apparently the two are being probed for their involvement with a start up political consulting firm.

Anonymous do you have any more info on Felipe Agredano like where he may have work or what campaigns he has worked on? Is this the same Felipe Agredano on the Garvey School Board who was arrested for Drunk Driving last year? LA County Commission for Human Relations member?

It is the responsibility of Lewis and the Citizens for Better Government to file on a timely manner. The mayor and city councilmembers of South El Monte are not to blame. They seem like honest elected officials.

Hmmmm....was she "CONVICTED"? I think she entered a no contest plea?

"political consulting firm"....would that be like the one that Touhey runs out of his home?

She was CONVICTED. Also now the DA is looking into Roger Hernandez and his ties to Felipe Agredano. Apparently the two are being probed for their involvement with a start up political consulting firm.

Felipe Agredano is the same guy that was arrested for DUI. LA County Commission for Human Relations member.

He and Roger Hernandez are seeking consulting contracts in several cities.

"apparently the two are being probed"....sounds very uncomfortable.

"seeking consulting contracts"...you mean like the
consulting contracts that Touhey secured with McIntyre or Charles Co.....you know, companies making millions doing business in West Covina?

And again, was she convicted? Not a challenge, a question.....but I would like to see some evidence of the conviction. From all I have heard and read, she entered a no contest plea?

She was CONVICTED. Also now the DA is looking into Roger Hernandez and his ties to Felipe Agredano. Apparently the two are being probed for their involvement with a start up political consulting firm.

Felipe Agredano is the same guy that was arrested for DUI. LA County Commission for Human Relations member.

He and Roger Hernandez are seeking consulting contracts in several cities.

Roger Hernandez hired a CONVICTED CRIMINAL.

Councilman's former campaign manager convicted of voter fraud

A judge convicted West Covina Councilman Roger Hernandez's former campaign manager to one count of voter fraud last week.

There is no way me and my family are supporting measure GG in El Monte. Why would I want to pay an increase in sales tax from $8.25 to $8.75 on anything in my city. My family and I will no longer shop in El Monte for anything if this stupit sales tax passes. Many businesses will go belly up because of the lack of shoppers. We will go the Temple City, South El Monte, Duarte, any other city....but NOT good ole El Monte. We blame Mayor Gutierrez, Councilmembers Gomez, Ishigaki, and Barrios for this nonsence. They always pass on any and all money to the El Monte Police Department and the city managers and department heads at city hall. Why even bring in any EXTRA bucks we know good and well were it will end up. Not for us the residents of the city, city services, city programs...but the top brass of the EMPD.
A DEFINATE NO TO GG... in El Monte!

Anonymous Roger Hernandez Campaign Manager amitted in the article she illegally registered to vote in West Covina. So what is your point, even Councilmember Roger Hernandez in the article said she made a mistake. You may think voter fraud is okay I don't. Touhey's 700 Form list who he works for. Councilmember Roger Hernandez doesn't list an employer and if he owns a consulting firm he would have to list it. Who does Coucilmember Roger Hernandez work for? 33 yrs. old and hasn't had an employer. No real job in 8 years of being an Elected Official, sounds fishy to me. Brought a used car cash then sold it for a profit, brought a new car cash then sold it for a profit then brought another new car cash then sold it. During this time he loaned Mike Arjimo $10,000. in cash according to the court papers. Brought and is paying on a condo and all his other bills with his salary from the council and or the school board of $1200.00 per month before taxes. Something doesn't smell right. Did I mention the property he said he brought in Mexico during this time also. Ask about the congressional hearing on his free Rolex watch he recieved when working part time for Congresswoman Grace Napilatino. A $5,000.00 Rolex watch thats over 5 months of his salary he tried to say he brought it. Roger should help the country out with the bailout.

TO THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT "No Contest" MEANS - here you go:

The English translation of a nolo contendere plea used in criminal cases. Generally the terms nolo contendere and no contest are used inter-changeably in the legal community. The operation of a no contest plea is similar to a plea of guilty.

The modern no contest plea originated during the reign of Henry IV in England in the early 1400s. It was considered a prisoner's implied confession. Today the no contest plea is defined by statute and is available in almost every state. Such a plea is considered a privilege and not an automatic right of a defendant. Consequently, a no contest plea is accepted only with the consent of the court, and a judge is vested with discretion to accept or reject the plea.

The court must address several procedural concerns before accepting a no contest plea. If it appears from the facts presented that the defendant did not commit the offense charged, the trial court will refuse a no contest plea. Generally, a defendant must also tender a no contest plea knowingly and voluntarily. A plea is not deemed knowing and voluntary unless the defendant has a full understanding of the charges alleged and the legal ramifications of Pleading no contest. To ensure that the plea is freely tendered, the court will also inquire whether the defendant has received any threats or promises.

One disadvantage of a no contest plea is that it carries the same legal effect as a conviction for sentencing purposes. Though a defendant may hope for leniency during sentencing for saving the court the time and costs of a trial or because of a bargain worked out with the prosecutors, the full range of penalties remain available to the court for the given crime. Thus, a defendant risks receiving the same punishment without the opportunity to offer a defense or a chance for an acquittal from a jury.

WHY DO YOU HERNANDEZ SUPPORTERS KEEP MAKING EXCUSES FOR BREAKING THE LAW? GROW UP AND ADMIT YOUR WRONG FOR ONCE.

Hernandez should also tell you about his involvement with Felipe Agredano, former member of the Garvey School Board.

Hernandez and Agredano are getting kickbacks from a start up consulting firm.

West Covina Watcher....my point is asking a question to get accurate information. I don't believe I ever indicated that voter fraud was "ok", however you seem a bit rabid in your dislike for Mr. Hernandez. My interest was in obtaining accurate information, not in condoning the campaign manager's actions.

I don't have an opinion on Mr. Hernandez and trust the legal system will work if it turns out he has broken any campaign disclosure laws.

As for your remarks about Mr. Touhey's form 700 filings disclosing "who he works for". Well that simply isn't the case. Form 700 filings do not require Touhey to list all of his clients. I find it interesting that he runs a "consulting" firm out of his house - does he have a current business license? is it an approved home use business? what type of "consulting" does he perform? is his business listed in any of the local phone directories?

The current rage amongest many local politicians is to form these "consulting" firms which effectively allow certain parties to gain more favorable access for their projects....you know, the pay to play concept. I am opposed to such operations and believe they have helped to undermine the transparency which should be present in conducting the business of local citizens.

Hernandez should also tell you about his involvement with Felipe Agredano, former member of the Garvey School Board.

Hernandez and Agredano are getting kickbacks from a start up consulting firm.

Anonymous Regarding Mr. Touhey he has been looked over very closely by Ziad Alhassen in the city lawsuit from what I have heard, and the result was that everything came back fine. He (Touhey) stated he reports all of his clients which is not required by law. You cannot vote for a person in which you make over $250.00 in a calendar year and anything over $10,000.00 you must disclose the firms names. Touhey has the most disclosure filled out on the 700 Form, which far exceeds the requiremnet. He (Touhey) lists all of his properties and income, regardless! I believe home based businesses are allowed in West Covina which has appoximately 1,200 of them. He (Touhey) has a Business license, in fact, I believe he holds multiplable Business licenses in West Covina. I believe he in works in Real Estate development for both his family holdings and a few other individuals. He (Touhey) has been a Real Estate investor since 1979 and has bought and sold property with his famiily since then. Being invovled in the Chamber, I know he's a member and you can also find that all of his telephone numbers are listed. Touhey has never voted on projects for his clients. You mentioned Hernandez and I don't like him, but what was asked by you was of Touhey only, its okay for Hernandez not to list anything on his 700 Forms, but you question Touhey. The blog said Hernandez has a consulting firm and or no job at all, but you did not ask what Hernandez does for a living, as you did Touhey, you seem bias. Former Mayor Mike Miller had a consulting firm during his time on the city council. He (Miller) was only on the council since he retired from working for the city, but no one ever mentioned him. Touhey's number is available from info 411 and his ads are in many charitable orgazation booklets, you may not see them because you may not give at all. You seem to read the Forms. On the 460 Form, when Bill Roe ran for council Roger Hernandez donated $250.00 from his Campaign Account to Bill Roe, then Hernandez got paid a $250.00 consulting Fee according to the Forms 460. Since he got paid $250.00, Councilmember Roger Hernandez would have had been required to have a Business License for his Consulting Business that year. Check the Form 460 then ask your question again of Hernandez.

West Covina Watcher...I simply know more about Touhey than Hernandez. If Hernandez is using the "consulting" scam to profit from his role as a public servant, than I am opposed to that as well.

So out of curiosity, why do you dislike Hernandez so much?

I can't believe that Ernie Gutierrez and Emily Ishigaki want the voters to bail the city of El Monte our of their own "catistrofic negative city budget." Where the heck do they, and Gomez and Barrios get off socking it to us. They are so full of themselves, that they can't see their nose despite their stupit face. I am votting NO on GG as are my entire neighborhood and family. We have had it with their ill-responsible way of looking after the cities funds. They will only use the money to give it back to the police department heads. Emily just had to have her Children's Day Parade. That is only because she is the mc and grand stands. We have nenver been this bad off economically and politically in El Monte. NEVER!!! Time to vote in new leaders and wipe the slate clean. We need new vision,integrity, and honesty returned to city hall.

El Monte needs to remove all 5 City Council Members as well as other city employees and start off fresh. Unfortunately, that's politics and its not going to happen. Evil is everywhere.

The proposed tax increase is not going pass and even if it did, it would not make a difference because the City does not have good stores. We all shop out of the City.

Anonymous here's a short list, Hernandez reports no info. The only reason you know more about Touhey is because he disclosed it for the public. My concern with Hernandez no job, no disclosure of income. A $2,500. profit from used car sold to Ziad Alhassen, A $12,000. discount on new car purchased from Ziad Alhassen, then he vote to give Ziad Alhassen 5.1 Million dollars. Over charged the City credit card, only paid when Touhey said he was going to bring it up. Charging the City of West Covina for his college tuition, the taxpayers paid it. Harassing the 9 city employees, one of which has filed a claim against the City of West Covina because of him. Testifying against the City of West Covina on behalf of Ziad Alhassen his gift/donor, paying back Ziad Alhassen for what Ziad Alhassen has done for him. Threaten to fire another City employee recently, he doesn't understand the Council-Management form of government. Ziad Alhassen owes somewhere in the neighborhood of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.)that's $22.00 per every man, woman and child in the City of West Covina. Ziad Alhassen has gotten appox. Seventeen Million Dollars ($17,000,000.) over the years from the City of West Covina in financial assistance that did not have to be paid back. That's $148.00 per every man, woman and child in the City of West Covina. Do you want me to go on.

And on Hernandez, lets not forget what he did to the West Covina Police Department. There was a call from Hernandez' neighbor because they heard screaming and slaming around. The police show up and Hernandez shuts the garage door on them. The police had to pull out their tazer, but did not use it because he was a Council Member. If Hernandez was not a Council Member,he would have gone to jail and the female suspect (Paz Oliveras) he was slaming around would have been checked out for the bruses that were on her face the following day. (this is all in a police report). Fact not fiction like the continual accusations of Mr. Touhey...

Of course that following day Hernandez has a press release that the Police harrased HIM and blamed Mr. Touhey for the call. The police report was very clear and the people that called were really his neighbors not Touhey. There was a investigation costsing hundreds of thousands of dollars BECAUSE of Hernandez. And those police officers could have lost their jobs because of Hernandez.. this is a very serious accusation that Hernandez put forward. I cannot beleive people still vote for this guy?

When you vote you should check out ALL the candidates not just one. And when you do check them out, make sure your not beleiving what you are being told by someone who walks up to your door....

Hernandez has done so much wrong I cannot beleive he's not in jail yet.

Just a couple of points to clarify:

FPPC disclosure forms specifically exempt the need to declare income from government. If Hernandez teaches classes at various community colleges (which he does), receives a stipend from his service on the city council (which he does) and from his service on various city and intergovernmental bodies (which he does), none of that income would not appear on his FPPC forms.

On the buying and selling of cars: When buying a car, there are all sorts of ways dealers can shuffle the numbers, and it's all part of their effort to make you think you got a good price even if you didn't. They can start from the "sticker" price, or from the "invoice" price. They can get you on the loan apr, or they can get you on the trade-in value. They can charge you for "cleaning" or "dealer prep" fees. They can use dealer-added accessories, or hit you for an extra $100 for floor mats. They can make their money all over the place, and unless you're looking at all of that documentation, you've got no way to know for sure if you're getting ripped off or getting a sweatheart deal, especially when dealer financing and/or a trade-in is involved.

I may have made an error in my previous statement. FYI, I'm attaching a link to the FPPC form and instructions:

http://www.fppc.ca.gov/forms/700-07-08/Form700-07-08.pdf

I thought there was an exemption for government income generally, but I can't find it off-hand. Nonetheless, the instructions do say you only need to declare income from sources that do business in West Covina. So if Hernandez gets income from either government agencies or private entities that do not "do" business in West Covina, he doesn't need to declare them.

Bottom line: No income declared on an FPPC form 700 is not the same as "No income."

To FPPC Disclosure, My point was Touhey declares more then he has to, you missed the point. If Councilmember Roger Hernandez made a profit off selling a used car to Ziad Alhassen he would had to declare it on his 700 Form as income. Ziad Alhassen does business with the City of West Covina and he was also was income to Councilmember Roger Hernandez. Councilmember Roger Hernandez would have to abstain for 1 year on projects concerning Ziad Alhassen as his source of income. Councilmember Roger Hernandez then sold the new car he brought from Ziad Alhassen after driving it for 8 months to Reynolds Buick, GMC for another profit of appox. $2.500. which means Reynolds should have been on his Forms and he could not vote on projects concerning Reynolds for 1 year also. Check all the votes and the dates of the car purchases or the selling of the cars. Ziad Alhassen had business before the City of West Covina and so did Reynolds who was trying to buy some property from the City of West Covina. He brought and sold 3 cars in a calendar year I believe that requires a DMV Lic as a dealer? He appointed Bill Roe to a commission during the time, Bill Roe was a source of income to Councilmember Roger Hernandez as a Political Consultant. Councilmember Roger Hernandez doesn't hold any Business licenses as a Political Consultant, he holds no Business Licenses in the City at all. He rents rooms at his condo, the City of West Covina requires a Business License for that purpose. He has been voting on limiting the number of people you can rent rooms to. He's in that business according to his Campaign manager Paz Oliverez that plead no contest to Voter Fraud. She said she was renting a room so she change her voter registration to Councilmember Roger Hernandez condo. Councilmember Roger Hernandez stated to the newspaper and in court paperwork that he loaned Mike Armijo $10,000. in cash and he didn't pay it back. West Covina Neighborhood News does business in the City of West Covina so Councilmember Roger Hernandez should have listed the loan and the income from the loan on his paperwork for West Covina Neighborhood News.

To Voter, the West Covina Police were cleared by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. Internal Affairs that they did nothing wrong in the Councilmember Roger Hernandez Domestic Violence call between Councilmember Roger Hernandez and his Campaign Manager Paz Oliverez. Councilmember Roger Hernandez filed a complaint against the Police officers that showed up to his condo that day. Roger said nothing had taken place yet 5 months later at a Council meeting he then said he was sorry for the Domestic Violence Call to his condo and that a incident did take place. That's after he tried to ruin 5 West Covina Police Officers names and blamed Touhey for making the phone call. The Sheriff's Dept. verified that the phone call came from his next door neighbor not from Touhey as stated by Roger. If you remember Roger also blamed Touhey for the investigation for Roger and Ziad Alhassen by the DA, which turned out he was turned in by the guy he loaned $10,000. to, Mike Armijo owner West Covina Neighborhood News.

There have been a lot of posts, both on this thread and on others, so it's hard to say "your point was. . ." anything. There have been a lot of points made. Don't know if they were yours or someone else's, but I've seen posts saying, "He doesn't have a job" or "He doesn't have any income" so how can he be loaning his campaign any money? Or how can he be loaning anyone money?

As for the cars, the SUV wasn't a $12,000 discount on a "new" car. As I recall from a story that was linked on this blog previously, it was a vehicle with smoke and fire damage. Is it possible that Hernandez put in money for a new paint job or cleaned out the interior, and that's what boosted the value? Regardless, it's getting pretty nitpick-y to say he should have declared the car sale as "income" on his FPPC form.

When you start throwing all of these things up against the wall, it makes people think you're not being objective.

The loan of his campaign money is a question I have too $12,000. then the loan to Mike Armijo $10,000. The car on the internet was paid by Cashier's Check. He condo in West Covina his condo in Mexico his new Toyota Prius. His $12,780.00 he makes as a Councilmember goes along ways and thats before taxes. Just think Condo Payment, HOA payment,Property Tax,Insurance, Edison, Verizon, Car Payment, Gas and Food. He makes a $1065.00 a month from the City he stretches it along ways.
A car no different then a house if you sell it for more then you paid its considered income. The SUV did not burn there was no problem with the paint. Smoke from the DA report you could smell prior to Roger buying the SUV. According to the DA report Ziad Alhassen cleaned the SUV so there was no more damage. On this blog and in the newspapers Reynolds Buick who brought the SUV were never notified that the SUV had a salvage title and it didn't it wasn't damaged. If it was what you said it would have by law had to be sold as a salvage SUV, the DA did not find that. To buy a car on the internet and sell it four days later for a $2,500. profit to a guy who got a $5,100,000. deal from the City of West Covina then buy a new SUV from the same dealer at a $12,000. discount seems funny to me. Then drive this SUV for 8 months and sell it to another dealer for a $2,500. profit. Who else has ever brought a new car from a dealer and when then sold it and got more money then they paid? The IRS considers the car transactions income when you sell it for more money. No different then if you sell rare coins, a house and a car. This is exactly what a congressman did in San Diego and is in prison. He sold a boat to someone who does business with the Federal Gov. you remember the boat purchase and the home purchase a defense contractor did it. If not elected officials could sell cars for any profit to people who do business with the City and you think its okay. That's a very dangerous slope you could be on.

Roger Hernandez gets paid in several ways. Primarily from cash transactions that he does not pay taxes to the IRS on.

Someone should look into his IRS tax returns. You would be surprised.

Look, you said I was missing the point about the FPPC report, but there you go again: The FPPC form only reports income for sources that do business in West Covina. Without looking at his income tax return (and I seriously doubt anyone posting here has seen his tax returns), you don't know what other income he has from sources that do not do business in West Covina. So when you start implying that the $12,780 from the city is all he makes, you're are purposely being misleading. Even from the city, I would ask if that $12,780 includes his car and phone allowances, etc?

Regarding cars, there's nothing fishy about using a cashier's check to buy a car (on the Internet or in person). If it's through an eBay or other auction, you might even be able to pay below blue book, depending on who else is bidding. As for having to report car sales as income, I don't know. But I do know I've sold several cars in my life and never declared the proceeds as income on my federal or state income tax returns. I'd wager this is true for the vast majority of adults in California, but I suppose that's illegal, too.

Regarding home sales, there's nothing illegal about making a profit on a home sale. The first $250,000 in profit is tax free ($500,000 if you're married).

Roger Hernandez gets paid in several ways. Primarily from cash transactions that he does not pay taxes to the IRS on.

Someone should look into his IRS tax returns. You would be surprised.