Councilman Jose Huizar under Federal Investigation: "Who knows what ??"

"What does Henry Casas know about Monica Garcia and Jose Huizar and vice-versa ??"

After former CD-14 Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa became Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in 2005, he annoited a young, political newcomer in the person of then, LAUSD School Board President Jose Huizar, to succeed him in CD-14.

And with the assemble resources against him and some follies from his campaign staff, former Councilman Nick Pacheco was trounced in his attempt to return to his former office, by the person who had been a former supporter, Jose Huizar.

Now in 2009, Councilman Jose Huizar has many in CD-14, who bothered to vote, contemplating their past support of Huizar in light of today's disclosure of the Councilman's latest ethical concerns, as noted this afternoon on the LA Times "LA Now Blog Site". and updated version this evening.

Federal investigators are examining whether a labor-affiliated nonprofit group improperly funneled consulting fees to Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar and former Board of Education member David Tokofsky, sources close to the investigation say.

The inquiry is looking into payments of about $30,000 each to Huizar and Tokofsky by Voter Improvement Program Inc., a nonprofit group headed by local labor leader Miguel Contreras, who died in 2005. Investigators want to determine if Contreras was, in effect, using the nonprofit as a “slush fund” to reward allies, according to the sources, who declined to be identified because the investigation is ongoing and confidential. The inquiry reportedly extends beyond the two officials whose names have come to light.

Tax filings from 2004 state that Voter Improvement spent $93,054 on "nonpartisan voter registration, get out the vote, voter education and ballot measure advocacy." But this amount was dwarfed by $233,038 spent on consulting fees. These included $35,000 a year once paid to former state Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.

The fees to Huizar and Tokofsky were paid in 2003 and 2004—when both were on the city’s elected Board of Education.

As part of the inquiry, a federal grand jury summoned current school board President Monica Garcia to testify, but she has not agreed to appear. Garcia, considered a witness rather than a suspect, could agree instead to an interview with prosecutors under a promise of limited immunity, a source familiar with the probe said.
Garcia served as chief of staff to Huizar during his five years on the school board, from 2001 through 2005. She also worked as his campaign manager during his initial and successful City Council bid in 2005.

Now its time for questions and possible linkage to current figures and events.

First, what connection does this investigation have to Councilman Huizar's last ethical missteps involving research on former School Board Member David Tokofsky, who was also named in today's Federal probe ?? Could it be that this secret research on Tokofsky was to detemine how much David knew about this scheme by Contreras and how to us it against Tokofsky in future elections ??

Second, how much did ex. Councilman Jose Huizar Deputy Chief of Staff Henry Casas, who was charged with Domestic Violence, know about these past ethical questions and did his knowledge influence Huizar's retention of Casas until recently ??

Third, are current Huizar's staffers engage in a campaign to discredit Casas in light of his supposed knowledge on Huizar's past alleged, ethical lapses ??

Fourth, in this week's National Night Out Event in CD-14 at the newly rebuilt Hollenbech Police Station, why are community stake holders commenting about Councilman Huizar's rapid departure after learning of the on-site presence of Henry Casas ??

Further, it was rumored that Huizar bacame agitated when a female staffer notify the Councilman that "Henry Casas was in the house". Why would Casas presence cause disconfort for the Councilman and why ??

Fifth, why is Monica Garcia in Mexico and retaining legal counsel ??

........and for the record, when ask to comment on this by Times reporters, Huizar refused.

Something feels that there will be more names associated with this before final, legal resolution.

Your thoughts.................................