CLARTS Fund proceeds going to the Turkeys, that is the $27,200 "Turkey Giveaway Consultant"
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| Councilman Huizar living the political high life |
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| $27,200 can buy you alot of turkeys |
If anyone is in need of expertise in the area of organizing a community turkey giveaway, Esmeralda Velasco, President of EV Events, is your person. That is based upon her past work for Councilman Jose Huizar in the fall of 2008.
More after the bloggin leap............
It seems that Councilman Huizar was so concerned in making sure that his CD 14 constituents had the best organize Turkey Giveaway in the hsitory, that he searched far and wide to find that right person to consult him. Thus, when Councilman Huizar, for whatever reason, decided on retaining the "expertise" of Velasco, they signed a contract, paid for with a CLARTS Fund allocation for $27,200.
That same year, in my capacity as the Chairperson of the Hazard Park Advisory Board, we were in our third year of providing turkeys to needy families within the Hazard Park/Ramona Gardens area. We would submit letters requesting turkeys to the likes of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Assemblyman Kevin De Leon, County Supervisor Gloria Molina and Councilman Huizar. Each one of them responded positively and with great organization. I can single out for credit David Miranda of Councilman Huizar's Boyle Heights office, who drove over to the Ramona Gardens Recreation Center with 25 vouchures for a giveaway the next morning at the Covention Center.
Two plus years later, was the hard work of David Miranda and other CD 14 staffers, the end result of Esmeralda Velasco consulting? I had worked with Councilman Huizar's staffers on the past two years and had no complaints.
But if one takes a moment to view the EV Events Linkedin link, it notes that the "event & wedding planner company", first started doing business in January of 2009. So much for previous background and try to connect with EV Events via the net? Better have your second selection ready.
Thus, it would seem that $27,200 of extra turkeys for needy families went the way of some supposed consulting endeavors and causes one to wonder how much more of Councilman Huizar's Slush Fund, correction, the CLARTS Fund was diverted to "consulting friends" of Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone?
Your thoughts..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14
Labels: "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN AS JOSE HUIZAR", CLARTSgate, Esmeralda Velasco
Posted by Red Spot in CD 14 @ 1/27/2011 06:38:00 PM
46 Comments:
Awesome.
You couldn't make this stuff up...
What kind of an arrogant ass would even think he could get away with something like this?
$27 grand
That is a sham! Are they related in some way shape or form?
Jose Huizar Staff
Esmeralda Velasco Office Manager & Special Events Director Esmeralda.Velasco@lacity.org
Red Spot,
Can you confirm for us that Rudy Martinez raised a whole $200 during the last quarter?
I don't have a horse in this race, but that's what we used to call "the handwriting on the wall."
Jose Huizar paid for Victor Ronquillo's airfare.
$584.55
Schedule G
Payments Made by an Agent or Independent Contractor CALIFORNIA FORM
460
NAME OF FILER
HUIZAR OFFICEHOLDER ACCOUNT
http://ethics.lacity.org/disclosure/campaign/browse/public_rpt_sg.cfm?doc_id=4995&city=la
FRAUD - WASTE - ABUSE
The councilman made his way around the gymnasium, posing for pictures with families and talking to more who waited outside in line. When asked what it was that he was most thankful for this year, he said. “It’s my family. I’m grateful that I have a healthy family.”
He said the effects of a weak economy always hit low-income families the hardest. “We had more people calling us this year. They were interested in knowing when we were going to do this,” he said.
This year’s event proved to be much more difficult due to the current economic downturn, but small local businesses were able to step in and provide much needed support, according to Esmeralda Velasco, the event planner. She said this year she had more sponsors, but received smaller donations.
Food 4 Less, which is the primary business sponsor, supplied the dressings and some of the turkeys. In addition, store employees donated time to set up and hand out the food items.
http://egpnews.com/?p=4103
great work Red Spot.
this is absurd.
Esme was probably laundering part of the money back to Gustavo who was then giving Jose his cut of the action.
Great flyer, really give it to Jose.
8:10 Wait a Minuto!
Damn! Could have used the $27,200 to giveaway extra turkeys. They had sponsors? Why pay $27,200 in consulting fees.
Hearing on CRA Regulations in Los Angeles, August 17, 2010
4 PART VIDEO
PART 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msZTFyvFZvc
Political corruption undermines political and economic development in many communities, and raises difficult challenges for state aid.
Political corruption in the form of accumulation or extraction occurs when government officials use and abuse their hold on power to extract from the private sector, from government revenues, and from the economy at large. These processes of accumulation have been called extraction, embezzlement, rent-seeking, plunder and even kleptocracy ("rule by thieves"), depending on the extent and context. Extraction takes place mainly in the form of soliciting bribes in procurement and government projects, in privatisation processes and in taxation.
The other process, when extracted resources (and public money) are used for power preservation and power extension purposes, usually takes the form of favouritism and patronage politics. It includes a favouritist and politically motivated distribution of financial and material inducements, benefits, advantages, and spoils. Techniques include money and material favours to build political loyalty and political support. Power-holders can pay off rivals and opposition and secure a majority support. By giving preferences to private companies they can get party and campaign funds, and by paying off the governmental institutions of checks and control they can stop investigations and audits and gain judicial impunity. Furthermore, by buying loyal decisions from election commissions and by buying votes they can secure their re-election.
Political corruption takes place at the highest levels of the political system, and can thus be distinguished from administrative or bureaucratic corruption. Bureaucratic corruption takes place at the implementation end of politics, for instance in government services like education and health. Political corruption takes place at the formulation end of politics, where decisions on the distribution of the nation's wealth and the rules of the game are made.
Political corruption is usually also distinguished from business and private sector corruption. This is only a matter of academic classification, however, since the bribes offered by private companies, domestic and international, are frequent and significant corruption drivers. Our focus here, however, is not on the supply side of corrupt transactions, but on the demand side. Most definitions of corruption also emphasise the demand (state) side, for instance in stating that corruption is "abuse of public authority and power for private benefit".
dum dums, "officeholder" dollars are NOT taxpayer dollars. They are funds raised from donations specifically so the elected doesn't have to spend city $ on meals, or other business expenses.
I would expect Red Spit and the short bus crowd not to know that, but the fact that Martinez doesn't know the difference - and puts out a mailer exhibiting his lack of understanding of the most basic campaign and funding mechanisms - is really something.
How Molly's Got $1.1 Million Deal Approved by CRA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Byy53S-P90
Politicians Unhealthy Alliance with Non-Profits focused on special interest advocacy and corruption.
Money Laundering Through Non-Profits With Some Help From The Politicians
City of Vernon racks up major legal bills.
He pointed to Vernon's recent but failed campaign to build a 943-megawatt, $450-million power plant for which the city assembled a team of consultants and lawyers as well as some of the region's biggest political heavyweights.
Former state Sen. Martha Escutia, former Assemblyman Tom Calderon, former L.A. Councilman Richard Alatorre and former Assemblyman Mike Roos were all enlisted to lobby neighboring cities and Sacramento officials on Vernon's behalf.
"It's part and parcel of a corporate mentality that they have," De La Torre said of Vernon's spending on lawyers and lobbyists.
"They throw money at their problems; that's what they do. They don't have the normal concerns of a public entity."
http://www.nctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/article_d0ad212b-04dd-5cb6-bc4b-6f2a8b27905a.html
How ironic that a turkey giveaway is now a political tinder box for Huizar - is that why all those reporters are calling around?
This is ironic because a turkey giveaway was the source of all those nasty Parke Skelton mailers against Pacheco. The ones were Skelton lied about Nick funneling money to the Mothers of East L.A.. That money actually was for a turkey and toy giveaway - at all of the city housing projects in the district. Every cent went to the holiday gifts for the less fortunate - you can bet the Mothers never had a $25,000 consultant on how to give away holiday treats.
The Mothers were later exonerated by the Ethics Commission - complete with letter and clarification. But the damage was done, Villar was elected and the Mothers never recovered and ceased to exist - along with their $45,000 a year scholarship awards for Boyle Heights youth. Just another example of "collateral damage" in Parke Skelton's style of slash and burn politics.
I guess it is true that you reap what you sow, huh Parke.
Is that all Rudy Rich raised? Pathetic if its true. How can he claim to have support when no one is supporting his campaign. Good thing the former Republican can write his own checks and had Red Snot for his press secretary.
A CONNECTION
GOLDMAN SACHS + VILLARAIGOSA + ROBERTO (ROBERT) BARRAGAN, President Valley Economic Development Center
CRA MONEY FRONTS
All of this can kind of contracts lead to Gustavo, he is the guy who launders Huizar's money.
VOTE HUIZAR OUT!!! SUCH A LOSER!!! 86+ Staff paid with taxpayer $$$ Largest staff turnover rate in the history of LA City politics.
VOTE HUIZAR OUT!!! AND HIS LOSER MOTHER!!!
Not only did Rudy Rich ONLY get 2 x100 campaigns donations, one of them came from SOUTH PASADENA (for newbies... NOT a part of L.A. City).
So, he only raised $100 FROM CD14.
Yeah, boy howdie. I predicted it here. As soon as people got whiff...
As soon as the public meetings started, and people got to really see the empty Rudy suit in action - what little money there was dried up, BIG time.
Politicians Create & Use Non-Profits to Funnel Money
To me, it’s corporate money that just happens to be flowing through nonprofits. The nonprofits are, in effect, laundering the corporate money. Yes, that’s strong language. Intentionally. Now that the law of the land allows corporations unlimited spending on campaigns, why else would they bother to move the money through nonprofits unless they want to mask their involvement? The lack of transparency around these organizations provides the donors with unfettered funding opportunities while letting them hide their identities (except when four intrepid reporters spend countless hours digging through document trails). When these nonprofits then spend 50% or more of their money on issue and political ads, it's hard to see them as anything but shills for that money. To me, that's money laundering.
10:13 PM
To Political Consultants,
Can we have a write-in candidate in CD 14 Election?
Who the hell is Gustavo?
10:21 Don't bring MOTHERS to battle. Off limits!
Gustavo is not the only person laundering money for Jose, just one of many. Franice and Eddie also launder money into Huizar's pockets.
3rd Floor Fly,
What's up with the political science 101 lesson?
10:41 For my book
FROM RAGS TO RICHES: POWER, POLITICS AND CORRUPTION IN LOS ANGELES
9:38
dum dums, "officeholder" dollars are NOT taxpayer dollars. They are funds raised from donations specifically so the elected doesn't have to spend city $ on meals, or other business expenses.
I would expect Red Spit and the short bus crowd not to know that, but the fact that Martinez doesn't know the difference - and puts out a mailer exhibiting his lack of understanding of the most basic campaign and funding mechanisms - is really something.
You are right, there is nothing illegal here.
This is the same tactic people used against Former Speaker Fabian.
Former State Assemblyman Fabian Nunez was cleared of wrongdoing in an ethics investigation that had already damaged the reputation of the Democrat, who is now a prominent public affairs consultant. Apparently spending $155,000 in campaign funds on lavish international travel, wining and dining in destinations such as Bordeaux, France and buying high-end boutique gifts does necessarily qualify as illegal in California.
Nunez Cleared in Ethics Probe, but Are Spending Laws Too Lenient?
By Jason S. Mandell, Wed., Oct. 28 2009
http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2009/10/nunez_ethics_california_campai.php
The Huizar haters want to say he is just like Fabian Nunez but it won't work since it is not illegal.
"As long as it isn't illegal there isn't a problem," said a FORMER Councilman.
10:11
Nobody cares anymore "Lauro" - stick to bad law.
Just because you didn't get caught for THAT, doesn't mean you didn't play loosie goosie with every other rule and laws on the books.
Huizar and friends have been running a shakedown racket of local business in CD 14 for years.
All the side kicks are in on it; Gustavo, Francine and the rest of the gang.
11:57
Nobody cares anymore "Lauro" - stick to bad law.
Just because you didn't get caught for THAT, doesn't mean you didn't play loosie goosie with every other rule and laws on the books.
WHAT DID "LAURO"* GET CAUGHT FOR??
*I am guessing Lauro is former Councilman Nick Pacheco
Why is so much energy being spent on a former councilman anyway?
I have to ask. Did the $27,200 include the turkeys ?
12:08
Nah, you're not guessing, it's on your driver's license.
Ego keeps you coming back here for punishment, and ego keeps getting your fingers burned.
Give it up. You boy Rudy never looked more like a little lost sacrificial lamb since his $215 in contributions were just released.
By now all the media is thinking "ah, hell, why'd we even bother to write about Rudy. We're just gonna look like saps in March.
If I had Huizar's ear, I'd tell him to stay home with the kids on those "debate" nights.
Why the hell should he bother.
i dont like Huizar, but I and others did enjoy the turkey I couldnt afford
Really? You want to use Fabian Nunez as your poster child for ethical behavior?
The man that funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars through a fake storefront in the westlake district?
The man who took millions of dollars from AT&T to rewrite the state cable TV laws..
He kept a loft at 4th and main, paid for by his primary fundraiser, (sorry roommate). Good thing his family was really 40 miles away, the place was perfect to bag women!
And take a close look at AT&T Fiesta Broadway! Does anybody believe that that is a cultural event...let's think about how this event could be used. Hint $$$...
Alatorre, Larry Gonzalez, Nunez, Huizar, Perez, and Alarcon
Since when do illegals celebrate American Holidays? Afree turkey? Seems I never see a 4th of July celebration downtown, just some Mexican holiday that has nothing to do with anything here.
What an idiot. He should at least have the decency of coming up with better covers when he is laundering money.
An item to point out on Fabian Nunez and campaign fund spending was that he had some attitude display when his spending habits were questioned.
Nunez said he was spending from that source and not tax dollars and did not even HAVE to disclose what he was disclosing.
So you see, you have a guy so lost in self-indulgence, arrogance and living a high life that he thinks if it's not "tax dollars" then it's all fine.
He really revealed a lot about his attitude and character, not to mention that arrogance that all these guys who had lived a life without struggle. So Fabian's other actions with the Gov. Arnold fall into all that "entitlement" and "some pigs are more equal than others" mode of thought.
Huizar has some nice company for the kinds of things he does.
And is he ever going to fish or cut bait on the Villaraigosa connection? Does he support him or does he disavow what the Mayor's done? He shouldn't have it both ways and still tap the sources provided by Villaraigosa for campaign aid.
=============
And don't mention support for Jose staying home from forums. He's already not bothered to walk among his district's neighborhoods but he doesn't like to be called "lazy."
He's leaving the glossy mailers to take the place of actual personal effort.
Corruption at its worse
""""Developers seeking city approval to build a football stadium downtown as well as Democratic financier and producer Stephen Bing were among the major contributors to a committee set up to support Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's favored candidates for the Los Angeles Board of Education, new filings show.
Bing and the Anschutz Corp. joined familiar names in the fundraising wars over school reform, including philanthropist Eli Broad ($150,000), former Mayor Richard Riordan ($25,000) and Spanish-language media executive Jerry Perenchio ($250,000). All told, the informal Villaraigosa slate — he is actively raising money for three candidates but has yet to endorse them officially — has collected more than $1 million on behalf of Tamar Galatzan, Luis Sanchez and Richard Vladovic.
TELL ME IS THIS A ONE PERSON RACE DECIDED BY MONEY IS THAT YOUR PROPANGANDA I THOUGHT WE STILL LIVED IN A POORLY DEMOCRACY.
This does not add up. Why would you pay someone the equivalent of $65,000 a year to do work that is already being done by the Office staff or other volunteers?
I hail from Valley Glen. I can tell you that the Valley Glen Neighborhood Association runs an annual Adopt-A-Family program that gives away gift cards and turkeys to poor families of Valley Glen public school children. They do this with donations from local Valley Glen citizens and businesses and no more than $500 from various City, State and Federal officials.
For the life of me, you do not need to spend $27,000 to do this or even 5% of this.
Higby, there's an angle here. I know you will find it.
THANKS FOR BRING UP GOLDMAN SACKS THEY ARE ALWAYS IN THE BACK GROUND PROPING UP THE WRONG PEOPLE WITH FUNDS. TO ALL OF YOU KEEP HITTING AT CRA AND CLARTS FUNDS WE NEED A FAIR PLAYING FIELD IF THE RIGHT PEOPLE ARE TO HAVE A CHANCE AT WINNING ELECTIONS. WE HAVE TO CUT THE MONEY TRAILS THAT ALLOW MEDIA AND THE PRESS AS WELL AS POLITIANS WITH TIES TO BRAIN WASH THE PUBLIC WITH THEIR GLOSSY MEANINGLESS ADS.
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