Trash reveals former Pacheco operative Robert Urteaga's hidden past

Once upon a time in CD 14 Political Folklore there was a young political upstart who was entrusted with returning a former politico to his rightful place as Councilman of CD 14.

But with the daunting coalition of unions, non-profits, Mt. Washington elitists, "bloggin cut and pasters", and of course, 80 FAKE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHES, being coordinated by one Parke "Parque Esqueleto" Skelton. The 30+% lead turn into the "Waterloo" of Nick Pacheco's CD14 political journey.

But for that former campaign manager of Nick Pacheco, Robet Urteaga, his own political aspirations saw him returning to the city of his youth, Montebello, where he was elected to City Council in a recall election.

It is one thing to get elected, but when you have to govern and vote on issues (and piss off special interests), then one should expect something like this to happen when one's "bones rattle in the closet".

MONTEBELLO - A fight over a trash contract turned to mud slinging when a group opposed to the plan put materials from a City Councilman's criminal record on the Internet.

In 1998, Councilman Robert Urteaga pleaded no contest to grand theft of personal property totaling $30,000, according to court documents.

"When I ran for office, I knew eventually someone would dig into my background and dig this up," Urteaga said. "I just don't think that this incident happening 10 years ago is a true reflection of who Robert Urteaga is."

Geez!!, in the past few months, Urteaga has been "pounding the concrete" in Boyle Heights in search of support for the proposed Vernon Power Plant.

Makes you wonder if Urteaga was "double-dipping" in his romps on the sidewalks.

The criminal complaint filed by the District Attorney's Office in February 1999 accused Urteaga of five counts of check forgery and one count grand theft.

In a July 1999 plea agreement between Urteaga and prosecutors, the forgery counts were dropped by the district attorney, according to court documents.

Urteaga said he accepted responsibility for his conviction, is remorseful and wants to move forward.

"Mine is a story of success, and I didn't let this one incident destroy my life," Urteaga said. "I am a big believer in second chances."

One could say that Urteaga ineptness was rooted in his efforts on the behalf of Pacheco which were maybe "top heavy" on blogging, and lite on community organizing.

This gets better.........

The conviction dates back to Urteaga's years as a UCLA student when he was 21, he said. Putting himself through school, he took up sports gambling as a means to make extra money, he added.

The councilman said he got in over his head and started losing, so he made bigger bets.

"I got into trouble with people you don't want to get in trouble with. I took money that didn't belong to me," Urteaga said. "My mistake was I didn't ask for help. I was too embarrassed."

The money was taken from a friend he worked for at the time, Urteaga said. He performed 60 days of community service with Caltrans and paid off his debt. He was on probation through November 2002.

Thought to ponder, you mean to tell me that the likes of Parke, Ully and the other Huizarnistas could no dig this stuff up?? So much for Huizar's investigative reputation.

More on Montebello's little "Art Snyder/Richard Alatorre"..........

Still the conviction has some residents and the mayor asking whether can Urteaga can hold political office?

"It's very disheartening," Montebello Mayor Bill Molinari said. "There is no question that politically it's very damaging to be involved with grand theft and forgery."

..........and famous last words,

"If people want to dig into my personal record, I will accept what comes forward," Urteaga said. "They are trying to pressure me to resign, and I am not going to let them. I am going to fight this."