L.A. Now Live: Latest on Compton councilman controversy

Compton’s Latino residents were jubilant when a Latino candidate was elected to city office for the first time this summer, but just a few weeks into Isaac Galvan’s term, some are already having misgivings about the councilman.

Times reporter Abby Sewell will join L.A. Now Live at 9 a.m. for a live discussion about Galvan.

State officials are considering whether to open an investigation into Galvan’s failure to file required campaign finance reports.

Galvan, 26, has not filed any of the required campaign finance disclosures for the primary and runoff elections. As his first official action, he hired an aide with criminal convictions for political misconduct. And according to public records and interviews, including with a former roommate, he moved to Compton just in time to run for office.

It is unclear how much he spent on his campaign or who funded it, because Galvan did not file campaign finance disclosure forms for the April primary or June run-off election in Compton, violations that can result in fines or criminal prosecution.

When questioned about the missing forms in early July, Galvan said he had filed them “yesterday.” He also said he would provide a copy to The Times, but never did. On Thursday, he told The Times that his treasurer was “in the process of filing” and that he did not know how much he had spent on the campaign.

“It’s really a pretty cut-and-dried rule,” said Gary Winuk, head of the state Fair Political Practices Commission’s enforcement division. “The public needs to have information about any public official or potential public official’s personal financial interests.”

Winuk said his office is reviewing Galvan’s case to determine whether they should open a formal investigation. That review will likely take about 10 days.