Judge Tells Firm to Pay South Gate $517,000

The city of South Gate, shaken by stormy years of malfeasance that left it near bankruptcy, got some badly needed good news this week.

A judge ruled Tuesday that a prominent Los Angeles law firm must repay the city $517,000 in legal fees. The fees were charged to defend Albert Robles, the city treasurer for several years, before a criminal grand jury in 2001 and 2002.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Gregory Alarcon ruled that the firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton must repay the fees because its contract with the city was “void and unlawful.” The judge found that the contract was signed by Robles and not the mayor at the time, as required by law. Alarcon also allowed the city to sue the firm for damages in the future.

“It’s an historic day in our city,” said Mayor Henry Gonzalez. “This is a giant law firm that came and picked on a small city.”

The ruling was part of an epilogue to a melodrama that raged in South Gate between 1999 and 2003. At the center was Robles, a controversial figure who in 2001 masterminded the election of a council majority that followed his direction.

Between 2001 and 2003, Robles and his council allies drove South Gate to the brink of bankruptcy, in part by running up $10 million in legal fees.

The experience outraged the community. Voters recalled Robles and his allies last year. Robles now awaits trial on charges of misusing public funds.