Cannabis Intrigue Influencing The 2020 March Election Proceedings

 From Pasadena City Hall, through the Commerce Model City and the City of Los Angeles Fourteenth Council District, the ramifications of California's Legalization of Recreational Cannabis, is the source of continuous intrigue as the new "Green Mother Lode (for the Politically-connected)", impacts local elections in March.

Will Pasadena City Manager Steve Mermell's questionable handling of Legal (and Illegal) Cannabis Issues, affect the Mayoral and City Council Elections in March? 

** Blogger's Notes: As California enters the second year of Recreational Marijuana Legalization, the political ramifications of the new "Green Mother Lode (for the Politically-connected)", is also a bountiful source of intrigue, meriting continuing cyber-coverage.

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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.

Mayor Sam Exclusive: A Model City's Ethics Going Up In Smoke?

A growing Residence Revolt in the City of Commerce against a proposed Ordinance that would allow the sale of Recreational Marijuana is disclosing troubling, "Pay to Play Dealings", involving City Council Members ........., and cronies of the infamous Calderon/Cedillo/Chacon Political Machine.

Commerce City Hall.

** Blogger's Notes: Since its Incorporation in 1960, the Industrial, Business-friendly City of Commerce, has prided itself as being the "Model City", in an ethically-challenged and environmentally-impacted landscape of Southeast LA County.

While neighboring cities such as Vernon, Bell, Maywood, Cudahy, South Gate, Montebello and Huntington Park have garnered the dubious Headlines in recent years, the home to the Commerce Casino and Citadel Outlet Complex, has not been immune to scandal, as exampled by former Councilman Robert Fierro's Conviction for lying to the FBI regarding Campaign Finances.

Yet, in the aftermath of a 2017 City Council Realignment that was supposed to give birth to stability (and ethical reform), Commerce residences are awakening to the reality that they are now Ground Zero in the fight against Southeast LA Political Corruption.

The super majority of Mayor Hugo Argumedo, along with Council Members John Soria, Ivan Altamirano and Councilwoman Oralia Robello have incurred the wrath of Commerce Stakeholders as they front for newly-hired City Administrator (and embattled Montebello School Board Member) Edgar Cisnero's Scheme to legalize (and control) the sale of Recreational Marijuana within the city.

As residents organize for Tuesday's Public Hearing on the Marijuana Ordinance, the Mayor Sam Blog has reviewed available Campaign Contribution Documentation (extrapolated upon below) and found troubling Conflict of Interest issues........, involving connections to the Calderon/Cedillo/Chacon Political Machine-----Scott Johnson. 

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