Bell Gardens official faces campaign charges
Bell Gardens City Councilman Mario Beltran was charged Wednesday with three counts of failing to file campaign contribution reports with the state.
Beltran would be prohibited from running for public office for four years if he is convicted of the misdemeanors.
“That’s the kicker,” said David Demerjian, who heads the district attorney’s public corruption unit. “He would not be removed from office. But he would not be able to run.”
Beltran could face six months in jail and a $10,000 fine if he is convicted.
In March, Beltran was convicted of filing a false police report claiming that he was robbed after passing out drunk at a downtown hotel used by prostitutes.
The LAPD and the FBI are investigating allegations that Beltran steered a $5-million automobile towing contract to a company connected to an old friend and business associate, and that the owner of the towing firm made threats against another council member.
Beltran’s attorney, Philip Cohen, said the long-standing investigations of his client must not be turning up much, judging by the latest charges.
“They’re trying to make something that’s not there,” Cohen said. “After a prolonged investigation, the only thing they’ve filed are charges based on campaign reporting. They’re falling back to something that’s procedural at best.”
Demerjian said politicians and those seeking office are required to tell the state who gave them money and how they spent it.
“He never filed anything,” Demerjian said. “We don’t know if he got campaign contributions from some source he doesn’t want to disclose or what.”
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