Commerce Planning Commissioner (and Son) Was "Co-Schemer" in the Federal Corruption Conviction of Late SEIU Union Leader

The controversial Commerce City Councilman Ivan Altamirano-appointed Planning Commissioner Arnelle Grajeda (and Son "C.G"), were "Co-schemers" in the 2010 Federal Corruption Indictment/Trial/Conviction of the Late SEIU Local 660 Leader Alejandro Stephens, for defrauding a Non-Profit to finance his Union Re-election Campaign..

Commerce City Hall

 Former California SEIU Leader and current Commerce City Councilman Ivan Altamirano-appointed Planning Commissioner Arnelle Grajeda.

** Blogger's Notes: As a growing number of City of Commerce Residents recoil in outrage over the recent ethical and physical misbehavior by members of its City Council, few if any, will remember that the controversial Councilman (and Failure Assembly Candidate) Ivan Altamirano-appointed Commissioner to the important Planning Commission ..........., has a "Co-Schemer" past.

Current Commerce Planning Commissioner Arnelle Grajeda, was once the most powerful SEIU Union Leader in California. With her then Boyfriend Alejandro Stephens, they advocated on behalf of mostly LA County Employees, during their time on the Board of SEIU 660 ...... then came the time for Stephen's Re-election for President of the Local.

With the blessing of the late LA County Labor Federation Leader Miguel Contreras, Stephens (and his "Co-Schemers"), used phony consulting contracts to wash $52,000 from the "Voter Improvement Project Non-Profit (created by Contreras)", into campaign money to fund his re-election, as the subsequent Federal Indictment, Trial and Conviction substantiated.

From the LA Times Report in 2010 regarding Commissioner Grajeda (and Son "C.G") "Co-Schemer" Role in the Stephens Corruption Case.

Also touched by the scandal was Stephens' former girlfriend and ex-colleague Annelle Grajeda, who rose to become one of SEIU's six executive vice presidents and the top SEIU official in California before resigning her posts amid questions about whether she had improperly used influence to help Stephens. Stephens identified Grajeda and her son, Carlos Grajeda, as a mother-son pair referred to by initials in the federal complaint as "co-schemers" in the case. The complaint alleges that "C.G." received $10,000 from VIP in a phony consultant agreement and turned the money over to Stephens. Neither Grajeda was charged, and neither responded to telephone messages from The Times.

In review, its obvious that Stephens took the fall to protect his ex Girlfriend, "C.G.' and most important, the legacy of Miguel Contreras. But in the fallout of his conviction, Grajeda was forced from her position of leadership and retired.

Ten years later, its ironic that along with another ex SEIU Leader of ill-repute Tyrone Freeman (who is helping in pushing Cannabis Legalization in Pasadena), Grajeda has been chosen to be a "Commissioned Schemer" in Councilman Altamirano's (along with Councilwoman Oralia Robello and Mayor John Soria), continuing sham to enrich Puppet Master Mario Beltran----Scott Johnson. 

 The Late SEIU 660 Local Leader (and former Arnelle Grajeda Boyfriend) Alejandro Stephens.

The controversial Commerce City Councilman (and Failure Assembly Candidate) Ivan Altamirano.

Former SEIU 660 President Alejandro Stephens to serve four months in prison

"Former SEIU 660 President Alejandro Stephens contemplates jail time".

Four months, probably less with good behavior.

But for disgraced former SEIU Local 660 President Alejandro Stephens, the stigma of contributing to debunking the legacy of the late Los Angeles County Labor Federation Leader Miguel Contreras, will weigh on Stephens for life in the labor community.

Stephens enters jail today, having pleaded guilty to tax evasion and federal mail fraud. His plea was the byproduct of a 2004 scheme that funneled $52,000 from the Contreras created Voter Improvement Project (VIP), into campaign coffers, for his successful election as President of SEIU Local 660. Local 660 is the primary union for 50,000+ LA County workers.

While Stephens is the only person doing jail time, the likes of former girlfriend and California SEIU Leader Arnelle Grajeda ("A.G."), son Carlos Grajeda ("C.G.") and Contreras ("M.C."), were listed by federal investigators as "co-schemers. The feds also questioned former SEIU International Leader Andy Stern, on whether he provided Stephens with a "no show position", but no accusations or charges are pending.

For SEIU, the Stephens conviction is the latest embarrassment for the union in Los Angeles. Stephens and Grajeda join the likes of former SEIU 6434 Leader Tyrone Freeman, who looted union coffers and directed those monies to dubious non-profits with ties to family members. Freeman also attempted to raise the dues of some of his poorest members and directed them into financial resources for LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas campaign. Freeman was removed by SEIU and awaits any legal repercussions stemming from his various schemes. The excessive dues that were taken from his members, were made whole by the union.

But the biggest hit here, besides Stephens doing jail time, is to the legacy of the late Miguel Contreras. With the conviction of Stephens, which by the way, was an outgrowth of the Martin Ludlow/ SEIU 99 investigation and convictions and mixed it with the dubious political follies of Contreras disciples former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. the Contreras Legacy is forever tarnish.

The harsh reality is that political historians will look back upon the supposed golden era of the Labor Left in Los Angeles and see where destructive narcissus behavior, mixed with financial excesses in the labor-dominated halls of governments, led us to our looming day of financial reckoning.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

** Bloggers note: I served with Carlos Grajeda on the City of Commerce Part-Time Union Board which was part of the old SEIU Local 347, under the ethical and democratic leadership of then General Manager Julie Butcher. During my time as Treasurer and Secretary, many of us knew of the linkage of Stephens and the Grajedas. But none of us knew of the scheme which resulted in the legal proceedings, that are the premise for this post.