Huntington Park : Petitioner Pleads Guilty

Alfreda Brown, a Huntington Park resident who was collecting signatures for a recall petition against two councilmen, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of misrepresentation, a violation of the state Election Code.

Brown, 46, was arrested by Police Chief Geano Contessotto in September after she allegedly told him the petition was against toxic waste. The petition was actually for the recall of Councilmen Jack W. Parks and Tom Jackson.

She was sentenced in late October to two years’ probation and has to either pay a $300 fine, spend 10 days in jail or perform 100 hours of community service, said Robert Jorgensen, deputy district attorney.

After her arrest, Brown told The Times that she was confused and “said it was on toxic waste by accident.” She told Contessotto she was instructed by Alan Kartsman to tell “white people” that the recall petition was about toxic waste or they would not sign it otherwise. Kartsman, who ran for City Council last spring, denied the charges.

City Clerk Marilyn Boyette said proponents of the recall have until Tuesday to collect about 1,800 signatures. The petition, filed by Joe M. Ortiz and Guadalupe Levy, was certified for circulation in August.