BELL GARDENS : Councilman Garcia Fined $1,500
The state Fair Political Practices Commission has fined Councilman Rodolfo (Rudy) Garcia $1,500 for violating state conflict-of-interest laws when he voted to fire City Manager William Vasquez last year.
Garcia approached Vasquez in July, 1992, and, citing personal financial difficulties, asked Vasquez for a $1,000 loan, according to a commission report. Vasquez complied, giving Garcia the loan in cash. There was no written agreement.
Eight months later, Garcia cast a key vote in a 3-2 city council decision to dismiss Vasquez. State law prohibits public officials from voting on matters involving people with whom they have loans.
Garcia also failed to list Vasquez as a source of income on 1992 economic disclosure forms but later amended the financial statements, the report said.
Because Garcia was cooperative and candid with the commission and had no history of violations, the commission did not fine him the maximum penalty of $2,000, a commission spokeswoman said.
Garcia said he had no idea his action was improper. He could not be reached for comment Friday.
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