Member of Elected Charter Commission Is Arrested

A member of the city’s Elected Charter Commission representing the northeast San Fernando Valley has been arrested on suspicion of lewd conduct, police said Tuesday.

Marcos Castaneda, who is also an aide to City Councilman Richard Alatorre, was arrested about 1:30 a.m. Saturday on North Stanley Avenue in Hollywood, Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Cmdr. Dave Kalish said. Castaneda is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 4.

According to a police source who asked not to be identified, Castaneda was arrested with a prostitute in his car and both were booked and released.

Castaneda, who lives with his wife and children in Sylmar, could not be reached for comment at either Alatorre’s office or that of the Elected Charter Commission.

A former aide to City Councilman Richard Alarcon, Castaneda has said he would consider running for his old boss’ seat if Alarcon wins his bid for the state Senate in November.

Geoffrey Garfield, president of the Elected Charter Commission, said the commission has taken no action on Castaneda’s arrest.

“An accusation does not cause an action,” Garfield said. “Unlike the Republicans in Congress, we’ll let the legal process take its course.

“Our respect for commissioner Castaneda remains at the highest level.”

Garfield said Castaneda was injured in a traffic accident about three weeks ago and has been taking painkillers that have clouded his judgment.

“He [Castaneda] said they were so strong that he couldn’t even communicate with his own family,” Garfield said.

As a result of Castaneda’s injuries, Garfield said, Castaneda has missed the past three charter panel meetings. The commission is one of two groups charged with rewriting the city charter.

Elected last year, the 15 commissioners serve without pay for up to 18 months.

Officials from Alatorre’s office were not immediately available for comment.