Bell Gardens Official Charged in Conflict-of-Interest Case

Prosecutors have charged Bell Gardens City Manager Maria Chacon with violating conflict-of-interest laws by allegedly orchestrating a power play that pressured City Council members to vote for her appointment.

The felony complaint, after a two-month investigation, marks the first charges levied against a public official by the newly formed public integrity division of the district attorney’s office.

Prosecutors contend that Chacon, as a council member last year, voted for measures that cleared the way for her appointment to the $80,000-a-year city manager’s job and influenced fellow members to go along with her plan. She is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, and prosecutors are recommending that bail be set at $20,000.

Chacon’s attorneys called the charge unfounded and accused prosecutors of singling out Latino officials for heavy-handed treatment.

“This is a witch hunt, and it’s focusing on southeast Los Angeles County,” said Mark Rosen, referring to current political corruption investigations in other nearby, largely Latino cities.

Chacon was not available for comment. If convicted, she could face three years in state prison.

The criminal complaint, filed late Monday, sparked wide-ranging reactions in Bell Gardens and nearby communities. Some viewed the criminal filing as a strong step against widespread corruption.

“It’s marvelous what [prosecutors] are doing for our city,” said Rogelio Rodriguez, a former councilman and a Chacon opponent. “This will send a message to other cities.”

The allegations of targeting Latinos drew angry denials from the district attorney’s office. Prosecutors said inquiries are proceeding countywide and stem from complaints filed by citizens, many of whom happen to be Latino.

“We respond to complaints, and [in this case] we received a complaint,” said David Demerjian, head of the public integrity division.

Chacon is considered the most powerful public official in Bell Gardens. Credited for spearheading a campaign to oust the white-majority council in the early 1990s, she has consolidated her power by getting a series of allies elected.

Last year, she voted as a council member to repeal a law that required one year to elapse before a council member could be appointed to a staff position such as city manager. Prosecutors say Chacon then met privately with at least one council member at his residence to influence the appointment vote.

Her appointment drew angry protests from residents who said she was not qualified because she does not have a college degree or training in running a city.

Other Bell Gardens officials could face prosecution for participating in the alleged scheme, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard Wilson.

Wilson said he is seeking access to city documents that could implicate others. He said officials could be charged with aiding and abetting, or with violating the Brown Act, the state law that requires open meetings of public bodies.

City Atty. Arnoldo Beltran has not turned over those documents because he says they are protected by attorney-client privilege.

Chacon cleared a key hurdle Tuesday in her bid to resume receiving her salary. She was removed from the payroll in April after prosecutors told the city her contract was void because of her alleged crime. But a judge ruled Tuesday that the law cited by prosecutors is unconstitutional because it denies Chacon a right to a hearing.

It is not clear if the city will resume paying her. Council members are to discuss today whether to place her on administrative leave.

The district attorney is also investigating George Perez, Cudahy’s city manager and a former councilman, for alleged conflicts of interest. And Huntington Park Councilwoman Linda Luz Guevara is under investigation after allegations that she does not live in that city.