Trash Talk on Trial in South Gate

South Gate Treasurer Albert Robles packs emotional wallops with his words. His verbal jabs -- he called one opponent a hallucinating dog with rabies -- are insulting, colorful, profane.

But criminal?

In a trial that will spotlight the rough and tumble, trash-talking world of southeast Los Angeles County politics, prosecutors will try to prove that Robles crossed the line from politician to thug by threatening to kill two state legislators, a political consultant and a police lieutenant.

The trial, scheduled to start today, in Norwalk, will feature a who’s who of region politics: the legislators who claim they feared for their lives; political allies of Robles, who say his bark is worse than his bite; and possibly Robles himself.

The volatile, 37-year-old politician makes no secret of his contempt for the man prosecuting him: Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley.

At a recent conference of public officials, Robles, according to Cooley, formed his hand into a gun-like gesture and pointed it at him. Cooley said it was a “macho, in-your-face” challenge.

Robles denies making the gesture. He accuses Cooley of being the real bully by abusing his office in an effort to destroy him.

“He is using the power of government to teach me a lesson on who is more macho,” said Robles in a recent interview.

Robles’ legal team dismisses the threats case as a politically motivated plot by Cooley and the legislators: Sen. Martha Escutia (D-Whittier) and Assemblyman Marco Antonio Firebaugh (D-Los Angeles).

His attorneys have also argued that the threats, even if they were uttered, are a form of constitutionally protected political speech, albeit “discourteous” and “rude.”

“I guess that’s exactly, unfortunately, what we expect from politicians of this country from time to time,” said George B. Newhouse, a city attorney at a recent court hearing. “It wasn’t like

Such arguments are preposterous, prosecutors contend. They have portrayed Robles as a streetwise criminal whose threats pollute the region’s political discourse. Free speech protections, they say, do not extend to death threats.

“It’s a very simple case about statements made by one person threatening violence against other individuals,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Jennifer Snyder.

Since his arrest, Robles has stepped up his public profile. Even with the court case looming, he has extended his considerable influence in South Gate and continues to stir passions inside and outside the city.

Prosecutors contend that Robles has engaged in a pattern of intimidation against several police witnesses. In August, a judge took the unusual step of barring Robles from entering the city’s police department.

The trial could change the course of the city, as it comes one month before the date of a voter recall election targeting Robles.

The trial will likely hinge on the testimony of several witnesses who heard Robles make the alleged threats.

None were made directly to the victims. Prosecutors say Robles told the statements to people he knew would relay them.

Robles allegedly told two witnesses that he would rape Escutia and kill her husband, Leo Briones, a political consultant, if he could get away with it.

Robles also allegedly told another witness that he wanted to take Firebaugh to Tijuana where he would put him in the trunk of a car and “blow his ... brains out,” according to a witness interview by investigators.

Under state law, a person is guilty of making a threat if the target takes it as a threat, even if there is no intent of carrying it out. Prosecutors said the victims took the threats seriously, especially since they believed Robles was behind other unsolved crimes in the city, including the 1999 shooting of Councilman Henry Gonzalez. Gonzalez recovered from his wound, and Robles has never been charged in the attack.

Escutia hired bodyguards; the police lieutenant, Vincent Avila, said he started carrying his gun at all hours. Firebaugh said he avoided conflict with Robles for fear of physical retaliation.

Among the witnesses who allegedly heard threats: Francisco Leal, an attorney for some neighboring municipalities; businessman Mark Kudler; Fernando Pedroza, a Lynwood councilman; and Martha Hernandez, Robles’ former girlfriend.

Their testimony will be challenged on several fronts. Leal, according to court documents, told investigators that he didn’t believe Robles’ statements about Firebaugh were significant, and that Robles appeared to be “blowing off steam.”

Kudler and Pedroza, according to court documents, have refused to cooperate with investigators since their initial interviews: Pedroza, because he thinks it would cause a “feud” between Lynwood and South Gate; and Kudler, because he fears it could negatively impact his billboard display business. They are expected to be hostile witnesses for the prosecution.

Witnesses who may testify on Robles’ behalf include Assemblyman Mervyn M. Dymally (D-Compton) and South Gate Mayor Xochilt Ruvalcaba.

Robles’ attorneys contend the case stems from Robles’ heated opposition to a power plant that was slated to be built in the city. Robles successfully opposed the legislators, who are now trying to retaliate against Robles, say his attorneys.

Robles was arrested in April, three months after investigators raided his home and found numerous weapons, including a semiautomatic assault rifle. He faces seven felony counts relating to the alleged threats. He also faces two illegal weapons charges that are scheduled to be heard in a separate trial.