South Gate Treasurer Appointed to New Job

Less than one month after authorities charged South Gate’s treasurer with making murderous threats against public officials, Albert Robles has been appointed deputy city manager, a job that pays $111,000 a year.

Robles, who has no municipal management experience, now holds both the elected treasurer’s post, which pays about $7,500 annually, and the appointed position, which comes with full benefits.

The appointment was announced in an interoffice memorandum Tuesday but Robles actually was appointed to the post by acting City Manager Dennis Young last Thursday. The announcement set off another round of fierce public criticism in this city reeling from federal and local corruption probes.

“Appointing him as deputy city manager is like appointing the fox to guard the chicken coop,” said Councilman Henry Gonzalez, a longtime Robles opponent.

Gonzalez and other Robles critics say his appointment allows him to use public funds to secure his power. Over the last few months, Robles’ three council allies have approved hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay attorneys representing Robles against a voter recall drive and various political corruption investigations.

But administration officials say Robles was the best-qualified candidate from a field of seven, because he has held several elected posts, including mayor, during his 10-year career.

Jesus Marez, the city’s other deputy manager, believes the job will work to Robles’ advantage, forcing him to rein in his volatile temper. “He runs amok as far as his comments are concerned sometimes, but I think this will calm him,” Marez said. “He’s part of the staff now, so he has to look at different ways of coming across.”

Robles’ appointment came the same day that more than 150 local and federal investigators raided the offices of several city leaders, including Young and Robles.

That probe centers on the alleged misuse of public funds by a city attorney, and investigators served search warrants against several officials with suspected links to the attorney. Young, who Marez said is attending an out-of-town conference, was not available for comment.

Though a city law bars elected officials from getting city posts for a one-year period after their term expires, no provision prohibits simultaneous tenures, Marez said.

Robles’ critics, however, are considering filing a taxpayer lawsuit alleging that Robles now holds incompatible offices.

In his new post, Robles will supervise three departments: Parks and Recreation, Building and Safety and Government Affairs. The job may require Robles’ attendance at certain council meetings, where residents regularly shout and argue with his allies, often accusing them of corruption. Though he is treasurer, Robles has refused to attend meetings for several months, likening the experience to visiting a zoo.

Despite trying to keep a low profile, he has remained in the spotlight. Last month, he was arrested and charged with threatening to kill two state legislators and a police officer. Robles, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, was not available for comment.