Attorney to Release Report on Baltierrez

A report by the San Fernando city attorney, who has investigated allegations that Councilwoman Joanne Baltierrez may have received preferential treatment allowing her to leave water bills unpaid for months, has been completed and will soon be released, officials said.

Mayor Raul Godinez said he hopes to release the report, which has been given to City Council members, to the public by the end of the week.

In October, the city attorney said he would investigate the allegations after several citizens, including former council candidate Juana Mojica, said they had documents showing that Baltierrez had fallen as much as six months behind in her payments. Contrary to city policy, Mojica said, Baltierrez’s water was never shut off.

Mojica, who said the city documents were left at her door, said her water was turned off twice after she fell two months behind in her payments.

“The city of San Fernando is very strict. If you don’t pay your bill by 8 a.m the day it’s due [after an extension], they turn your water off,” Mojica said. “Why doesn’t she have to pay like everyone else?”

Baltierrez, who could not be reached for comment, has denied that she received any special treatment.

Acting City Administrator Howard Miura said the city attorney was prepared to release the report this week at the City Council meeting but elected to hold off until all the council members had ample time to review it.

“It was requested that the item be placed on the council agenda for the next meeting on Dec. 15,” Miura said.