Outtakes from CD 14 Special Report: Year in Review

As the "Political Nightmare that was 2013" for CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, nears its climax, we look back on the controversies that will surely carry over into a contentious 2015 re-election battle starting soon.

**Blogger's Note: Somewhere this evening, a certain lonely politico (maybe remaining political friend City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson still stand by him?) will gladly toast away for good a disastrous 2013 as CD 14's embattled City Councilman. With lawsuits in the courts regarding his First Street Driving Adventure, alleged Sexual Harassment of former Staffer Francine Godoy and the 2012 Redistricting Scandal, the shine that once radiated from a rising political star, has been replace by a foul stench of a politico hack who's past dubious behavior may come calling at the polling place come 2015 (or sooner in a court of law). But worse for the Princeton Graduate is his "inner turmoil of soul and character" that has seen him admit to "occasional, unfaithful behavior" and is compounded by health issues of his youngest daughter. Most public figures (with a semblance of character) would surely place family paramount and walk away from the political circus to repair the damage at home and find healing for his family, but for Councilman Huizar, his "Political Machismo" is such that despite the political warning signs that 2014 could end up worse, he will forge forward, on a collision course with a "Political Day of Judgment in 2015"---Scott Johnson in CD 14 

 The Official Vehicle of "Outtakes from CD 14", which can go from zero to a six-figure claim against the City of Los Angeles, on First Street in Boyle Heights.

With all the recent attention focus on the alleged Sexual Harassment Lawsuit of former Deputy Chief of Staff Francine Godoy, many CD 14 observers and constituents have most likely forgotten about Councilman Huizar's October, 2012 rear ending of a retire Huntington Park Police Officer near First and Boyle in Boyle Heights. While the common spin was that Huizar was not legally drunk at the time of his blowing into the tube (after sitting for two hours in the back of a Hollenbeck Division Squad Car, allegedly), the fact remains that the city is on the receiving end of a $500,000 claim that alleged violations of reporting protocols regarding reporting accidents in city-owned vehicles. Then there is the fact that a Happy Hour Birthday Party was being held for Huizar Staffer Eric Martell that afternoon. Makes you go hmmm ................

What new salacious disclosures will come from former CD 14 Deputy Chief of Staff Francine Godoy's Sexual Harassment Lawsuit against her ex boss Councilman Huizar?

 The Famous Zuma Dogg photo of Councilman Huizar's Blackberry.

2013 was the year that all the old comments from the past on Mayor Sam, regarding alleged inappropriate behavior between Councilman Huizar and former Deputy Chief of Staff Francine Godoy, become an "occasional consensual reality", via the admission of the Princeton Graduate. But with Godoy alleging that there was nothing consensual about their supposed private trysts, we ponder whether another former Huizar staffer, turned defeated CD 9 City Council Candidate Ana Cubas, would be willing to describe for the record, the work place environment with the offices of CD 14?



 Why was the FBI so interested in CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar?

Lets put aside tales of alleged drunk driving and infidelity for a fleeting moment and ponder whether

the insinuations made on this campaign mailer from the 2011 Rudy Martinez Campaign, are still on- going. In the recent leaked State Senator Ron Calderon FBI Affidavit, there are passages that refer to a previous investigation of "Two Los Angeles Officials". Further there is a passage where Senator Calderon describes a "Los Angeles City Councilman" who could be a "money drop" for fictitious Filmmaker Rocky Patel's attempt to buy political favors. Rumors have been flying around that the "political friendship" of City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson and Huizar has a mutualistic purpose in protecting their respective backsides from any nefarious dealings originating from the Building and Safety Department Bribery Scandal. Its common knowledge that former Building Inspector Samuel In, may have many tales of "political collaborations in CD 10 and 14" from his 40 plus years of employment, that came to a end when he admitted to taking bribes, to share with federal investigators.  

 

** Lastly .........., 2013 saw the creation of a new CD 14 Political Adjective for retaliation in Eagle Rock when local Colorado Blvd. Merchants who opposed Councilman Huizar's Bike Lanes, were "Red-curbed".  



City Clowncil President "Mini Amin" Wesson to kickoff Rehabilitation/Re-election Fundraising for Clowncil Ally "Dear Charro" Huizar

City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson launches urgent Rehabilitation/ Re-election Kickoff for CD 14 Clowncil Central Committee Ally "Dear Charro/ Princeton Graduate" Jose Huizar.

Preserving his Clowncil Central Committee Dictatorship is the Paramount Priority for "Mini-Amin" Wesson  

The "Dear Charro/ Princeton Graduate" can't prance around his latest controversy.

Wonder if the "Dear Charro, Princeton Graduate" Jose Huizar's "Political Papi", former Mayor Antonio Villar, will make an appearance?

Can you fell the political urgency?

For sure, Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson is wasting no time in, with this political rapid response noted above, in supporting his embattled Clowncil Ally Jose Huizar, tomorrow night.

Clowncil Strongman "Mini Amin" Wesson knows that the CD 14 "Dear Charro, Princeton Graduate" Huizar is in deep political trouble regarding his supposed "Occasional, Consensual Affair" with former Deputy Chief of Staff Francine Godoy. Thus, its priority number one to collect capricious amounts of campaign contributions, in the hope that Parke Skelton can craft the "newly, reinvented Dear Charro Family Man/ Princeton Graduate" Huizar in time for 2015.

But besides rehabilitating a tarnished politico, "Mini Amin" Wesson must stand by Huizar because this duo has some joint political baggage that may bring down both of them.

If your first thought was the now, litigious 2012 Redistricting Debacle, your warm, but not quite. Think the still-on-going Building and Safety Department Bribery Scandal.

As we noted here at Mayor Sam in the past, former inspector Samuel (City-Wide Sam?) In, was the supposed "inspector of choice" (for "Mini Amin" Wesson's needs?) in CD 10. When In is force to resign, where does he resurface? In  CD 14, in partnership with close Huizar friend and former staffer Gustavo Valdivia, at his notorious Grande Vista Associates.

Thus, we would not be surprise to hear reports on Wednesday, that the tandem of Valdivia and In, were working with noted Wesson Staffer Michael Bai, in filling the contribution bags and documenting the future political CODs.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Monica Garcia Contributor Association with Corrupt Building and Safety inspector Samuel In

LAUSD School Board President Monica Garcia's Campaign Donor ties to corrupt Building and Safety Inspector Samuel In.

Should Monica return contribution from associate of corrupt Building and Safety Inspector Samuel In?

We will call this the story behind the contribution.

First, this contribution from former CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar staffer and founder of Grande Vista Associates Gustavo Valdivia.

08/31/12

Gustavo Valdivia   (Owner, Grande Vista Associates) Porter Ranch, CA 91326

MONICA GARCIA  LAUSD - District 2 1346436 - MONICA GARCIA FOR SCHOOL BOARD 2013

A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 07/01/12 to 09/30/12]

$1,000.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

Second, regarding Grande Vista Associates past "contract issues" with former HACLA official Victor Taracena, who was convicted and jailed for bid rigging.

About the same time, Taracena began awarding larger contracts not only to family companies but to the three politically connected firms on the Eastside, each of which received payments of just less than $100,000.Representatives of two of the firms -- the Estrada Courts Residents Management Corp. and Grande Vista Associates -- denied any knowledge of rigged competitions. "I'm just happy that I got a contract," said Gustavo Valdivia, head of Grande Vista.

Third, when a dubious Building and Safety Inspector is force into retirement, who is there to offer job and support?
.

A year later, In was listed in state records as chief executive officer of Grande Vista Associates, a consulting firm that had previously been linked to a scandal at the city's Housing Authority. A Times investigation in 2007 found that Victor Taracena, a construction manager for the authority, steered contracts to politically connected firms, including Grande Vista, without competitive bidding or after rigged contests.One bidder told The Times that he tapped Gustavo Valdivia, a former aide to Councilman Jose Huizar who was Grande Vista's lead consultant, to help him compete for the work — and found out that Grande Vista had secretly submitted its own lower bid. The housing authority paid Grande Vista nearly $99,000 to prepare schematic drawings of restrooms, parking stalls and ramps and other areas.In said he received no income from Grande Vista and got involved with the firm as a volunteer only to learn more about public outreach, one of the services the firm provides. In also said Valdivia asked him to be an officer."I'm a very simple person. If I can help people, I will help. It's all a positive thing for me," he said.

...... and from today's LA Times, this positive story regarding In.

Samuel In, 65, agreed to plead guilty to a count of felony bribery stemming from a 2008 incident in which he accepted $5,000 in cash from a Koreatown businessman, according to documents filed in federal court.As part of his plea agreement, In admitted to accepting more than $30,000 worth of bribes involving at least a dozen properties that he handled in his official capacity between March 2007 and December 2010, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Joseph Akrotirianakis. All were in or around Koreatown.

Thus, we wrap up this bloggin teachable missive on the questionable ethics behind the supporters of the reigning Gorda at LAUSD. ** Oh BTW, what happen with the poor kids school lunch money?

Your thoughts ..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Past Dubious Tales via Current Contributors of Monica Garcia

Mayor Sam continues is quest for stories behind the donors to selected political candidates. Our latest installment details the dubious tales behind such Monica Garcia donors, as Marcos Aguilar and a certain ex Councilman Huizar staffer Gustavo Valdivia.

** Blogger's notes: As Mayor Sam continues its coverage on the multiple story lines behind the most recent campaign contributions reports for the upcoming March Elections, please partake for the moment in reviewing the following exchange between Hillel Aron of the LA School Report Blog and LAUSD School Board President Monica Garcia, in a recent interview.(** our comments in bold)

LASR: You’ve raised a lot of money from charter schools. Isn’t that a conflict of interest since it’s the school boards job to approve or disapprove of charters?MG: I’ve raised money from a very diverse set of folks. Charters are one of them. That’s a separate conversation than the way I do my job (** that conversation commences below).I need people to invest in the campaign. Whether it’s the largest public works program that built 129 new schools, 160,000 new seats, and the equivalent of 8 acres of parkland, or the people that, everyday we buy paper and pencils and toilet paper and napkins from –– those people care about who’s here. Like I said, there are people who contribute to a campaign and want to support my reelection. I welcome that (** .... and we are obliges to provide commentary).LASR: If a Congressman was on the Energy committee and was taking money from the coal industry, I think people would look at that as a story. Isn’t this the same thing?MG: The effort to raise money for my campaign reelection is not about the influence in how I do my job (** we may conclude to the contrary). Or the decisions. I’ve done my job, I have a record, it’s been very clear, it’s about kids. I’m inviting whoever wants to invest. They can do their $1,000. 

Maybe the dubious tales behind the contributions listed below, may cause Monica to reconsider that last comment, considering ....

08/29/12	Marcos D. Aguilar   (Educator, Semillas Sociedad Civil) Los Angeles, CA 90065	MONICA GARCIA  LAUSD - District 2 1346436 - MONICA GARCIA FOR SCHOOL BOARD 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 07/01/12 to 09/30/12]	$300.00 [Election: 03/05/13]
09/18/12	Marcos D. Aguilar   (Educator, Semillas Sociedad Civil) Los Angeles, CA 90065	MONICA GARCIA  LAUSD - District 2 1346436 - MONICA GARCIA FOR SCHOOL BOARD 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 07/01/12 to 09/30/12]	$100.00 [Election: 03/05/13]
10/18/12	Marcos D. Aguilar   (Educator, Semillas Sociedad Civil) Los Angeles, CA 90065	MONICA GARCIA  LAUSD - District 2 1346436 - MONICA GARCIA FOR SCHOOL BOARD 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]	$100.00 [Election: 03/05/13]
11/09/12	Marcos D. Aguilar   (Educator, Semillas Sociedad Civil) Los Angeles, CA 90065	MONICA GARCIA  LAUSD - District 2 1346436 - MONICA GARCIA FOR SCHOOL BOARD 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]	$100.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

Help me out here, but has this blog done stories in the past on "ethical, educational. legal and political issues", relating to Marcos Aguilar and his Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School? From the Mayor Sam archives ......

** Academia Semilla del Pueblo's "Response" to Building and Safety Department's "Notice to Comply"

** Mayor Sam Exclusive: Academia Semillas del Pueblo's "Xocolatl Cafe" never had Health Department License to operate

** Mayor Sam Exclusive: Academia Semillas del Pueblo "School Cafeteria/Coffee Shop" shut down by County Health Department

** Mayor Sam Exclusive: Financial issues at the Academia Semillas del Pueblo Educational Collective? Documents don't lie

** LAUSD recommends Denial of Charter Renewal for Controversial Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School

** LAUSD questions Financial Structure of Academia Semillas del Pueblo as part of Charter Revocation Recommendation.

......... but despite all the controversy noted above and this LA Times editorial, Garcia and her allies save Academia as the LA Weekly reported at the time.

Minutes after the board voted to save Semillas, Monica Garcia joined her friend Marcos Aguilar for a rally just outside LAUSD headquarters. A crowd of more than 100 parents and kids hailed them as heroes.

...... and now Aguilar, along with school staff and associates are too willing to support financially Garcia's reelection.

06/12/12

Gerardo Felix   (Educator, Semillas Community Schools) Los Angeles, CA 90044

MONICA GARCIA  LAUSD - District 2 1346436 - MONICA GARCIA FOR SCHOOL BOARD 2013

A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/12 to 06/30/12]

$250.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

06/30/12

Law Office of Salomon Zavala   Los Angeles, CA

MONICA GARCIA  LAUSD - District 2 1346436 - MONICA GARCIA FOR SCHOOL BOARD 2013

A - Monetary Contribution Received (OTH - Other)  [Period: 01/01/12 to 06/30/12]

$250.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

06/12/12

Octavio Augusto Pescador   (Faculty, UCLA) Los Angeles, CA 90036

MONICA GARCIA  LAUSD - District 2 1346436 - MONICA GARCIA FOR SCHOOL BOARD 2013

A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/12 to 06/30/12]

$100.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

06/30/12

Irene E. Vasquez   (Director of Chicano Hispano Mexicano Studies, University of New mexico) Albuquerque, NM 87108

MONICA GARCIA  LAUSD - District 2 1346436 - MONICA GARCIA FOR SCHOOL BOARD 2013

A - Monetary Contribution Received  (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/12 to 06/30/12]

$250.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

** We should note it was Academia Semillas del Pueblo Attorney Salomon Zavala, who presented us with the following teachable moment on the Freedom of the Press, regarding this litigious "Bring It On Mayor Sam Moment".But in paraphrasing legal wordsmith Mr. Zavala, "we take this issue gravely seriously", the fact that contributions from Aguilar and staff, have help marginalize oversight of potentially harmful safety issues at the controversial Charter School.

Read more »

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

"The Education Mayor Antonio Villar mixing it up with Roosevelt Teachers".

For Mayor Antonio Villar and his education surrogate at LAUSD, School Board President Monica Garcia, the lack of progress at the high school of graduation for the City Terrace native turned "Education Mayor", is prompting community activists to call for a Townhall Meeting on the future of Roosevelt High School. This after meeting with LAUSD School Board President Monica Garcia and other district/ school officials. Longtime Boyle Heights Community Member Teresa Marquez posted these comments at the Eastern Group Publications Website after the meeting with School Board President Garcia.

Tragic story about Roosevelt High School, Yes they took some of the worst schools in the East Side, but not all, and others are doing much better without PLAS. At RHS all parents meetings are only in Spanish, closing the door on only English speakers. The one school RHS was divided into seven schools, with each a principal, dividing the parents involvement. Divide and Conquer. At RHS Director has order some parents to leave the school, this are active and volunteer(s) parent, but quetion some of the activities in school, There is more incidents at RHS with the students that should have been reported, yet they are not reporting, hiding and destroying records according to some parents.Special Ed students are not being identify and care for as the school should. Children with Autism or ADHD are not identify, so teachers just think they are problems kids. Numbers and percentages can be reported in a way that it does not look so bad, or make it look better than what it is. basically 4% of the students at RHS barely passed the Math test, not acceptable, if last year was 3% but now 4%, it might have increase but not to a level of accepting education in USA. 66% drop out = to out of every 100 students 66 drop out, leaving 24 students to graduate, and 1.4 students barely passed the math test. there is approximately 3800 students at Roosevelt High School, divided into seven smaller schools, with their own principal. Do this principal have Principal credentials???????????? 

More news after the Jump.

Read more »

LA Times: FBI investigating former Building Inspector with current ties to Councilman Huizar associate

Blogger's note: Sometime back in a moment of internet wandering, we chance upon this item during some backtracking on past stories involving the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA). Grande Vista Associates was one of the connected firms being investigated for alleged bid-rigging of HACLA contracts. Some five years later, the same Grande Vista Associates provide a soft landing for former long time Building and Safety Department Inspector Samuel In, who retires from the department after being exposed as part of the growing scandal and FBI investigation of the city agency. We past along our tip and the result is part of Los Angeles Times David Zahniser's latest missive on the growing FBI investigation of the Building and Safety Department and possible connections to various city public officials---Scott Johnson   

 Former Councilman Jose Huizar staffer and current controversial Grande Vista Associates Consultant Gustavo Valdivia, gives a position to recently resigned Building and Safety Inspector Samuel In. 

** From the Times:

A year later, In was listed in state records as chief executive officer of Grande Vista Associates, a consulting firm that had previously been linked to a scandal at the city's Housing Authority. A Times investigation in 2007 found that Victor Taracena, a construction manager for the authority, steered contracts to politically connected firms, including Grande Vista, without competitive bidding or after rigged contests.

One bidder told The Times that he tapped Gustavo Valdivia, a former aide to Councilman Jose Huizar who was Grande Vista's lead consultant, to help him compete for the work — and found out that Grande Vista had secretly submitted its own lower bid. The housing authority paid Grande Vista nearly $99,000 to prepare schematic drawings of restrooms, parking stalls and ramps and other areas

** Why Valdivia hired In:

In said he received no income from Grande Vista and got involved with the firm as a volunteer only to learn more about public outreach, one of the services the firm provides. In also said Valdivia asked him to be an officer.

"I'm a very simple person. If I can help people, I will help. It's all a positive thing for me," he said.. 

How many council districts get their own exclusive building inspector assigned to its domain?

** In's dubious past work in CD 10:

Korean landlord Kyong Ho Cho sued In, alleging breach of contract, saying he advised him to pay a company $15,000 to resolve his permitting problems with the housing department. Cho alleged he paid the money, but In never followed through. Cho's lawsuit also claimed that In told him he had a business partnership with the company that received the money, Max Construction.

Max Construction's lawyer, Michael Sinkov, told The Times last year that Cho's case was "totally meritless." Sinkov said In was dropped from the case after he agreed to pay a $10,000 settlement.

** Speculation from CD 10 via Mayor Sam Source: 

During recent Redistricting Commission hearing in Koreatown, an allegation of a monetary shakedown by associates of City Council President Herb Wesson was put into the record. The allegation involved a "Michael Bai" who was accused of "shaking down" community members for contributions. In addition, observers note that Building Inspector In, did most of his recent work exclusively in CD 10. Could it be possible that constituents in CD 10, are being expose to a well-organize shakedown machine, with friends in "high places in government"?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14