Another CD-14 Connected Non-Profit, FOUNDED Criminally Corrupt

In an under-reported conclusion to a stealth 2011 CD-14 Election Scandal, three former Executives of the Connected Non-Profit Chicana Services Action Center ......., pleaded GUILTY August 15 to embezzling millions of dollars from the Community Based Organization (CBO), financed by grants from the County and City of Los Angeles.

CD-14 City Councilman Jose Huizar at the 2014 Dedication of Chicana Services Work Source Center in Boyle Heights, financed in part by a $440,000, Councilman Huizar-secured City Grant.

** Blogger's Notes: If there is ONLY one department at the Internal Revenue Service that merits an increase in employees, it would be the unit responsible for the needed auditing of Connected 501-C3 Non-Profits, especially those in Democratic-controlled Enclaves, such as Ciudad de Los Angeles. 

In an UNDER-REPORTED conclusion to a Fraud Investigation, with links to former LA County Board of Supervisor Gloria Molina and CD-14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, three former executives of the Chicana Action Services Center, PLEADED guilty to embezzling million of dollars from the coffers of the connected CBO, financed in LARGE part, from LA County and City Grants.

From the Eastern Group Publications last Thursday.

Sophia Esparza, 65, the former CEO of the Chicana Service Action Center, faces the stiffest penalties under a plea deal with prosecutors. She pleaded guilty to five counts of misappropriating public funds, four counts of embezzlement, two counts of preparing false documentary evidence and one count of filing a false tax return. Prosecutors said she operated the nearly five-decade-old nonprofit with a bogus board of directors and used embezzled funds for items such as luxury apartments, sports cars, a yacht cruise and season tickets to the Dodgers and Clippers. She is facing six years in prison when she is sentenced Oct. 25. Meanwhile, Silvia Gutierrez, 71, the former chief financial officer for the group, pleaded guilty to six counts of embezzlement, four counts of misappropriation of public funds and two counts of preparing false documentary evidence. Thomas Baiz, 62, a former vice president of the nonprofit, pleaded guilty to three counts of embezzlement, two counts of misappropriation of public funds and one count of conspiracy to misappropriate public funds. All three former executives were charged in 2015.

The once Powerhouse CBO, which many longtime Eastside Observers credit for launching the Political Career of former LA County Board of Supervisor Gloria Molina, will FOREVER be branded with the scandalous "C" for corrupt ........., and remember for this STEALTH scandal from the 2011 CD-14 City Council Campaign, as reported by the LA Times. 

Esparza also is (was) accused in the district attorney's complaint of using taxpayer money for groceries, restaurant bills and other expenses in Santa Fe, N.M., where she had a vacation home, and using public funds for a May 2011 fundraiser for a city councilman. Prosecutors declined to name the politician. Los Angeles Ethics Commission records show that Baiz, the Chicana Service group's vice president, contributed $500 to Huizar's reelection bid on May 27, 2011. That same day, Huizar received $500 from Fernando Cerda, owner of a Boyle Heights upholstery shop, according to Ethics Commission records. In their complaint, prosecutors said Cerda provided upholstery work for Esparza's home, cars and a boat. Those services were paid for with public funds, prosecutors said. Cerda and his attorney had no comment. Huizar referred questions about Chicana Service Action Center to spokesman Rick Coca, who did not respond to emails from The Times.

........ and don't expect any official "Coca Puff" in response to this, CORRUPT-outing of another Connected-CBO in CD-14----Scott Johnson.