Recalled leaders in South Gate, CA, spent $2.1 million in final week, draining reserves.

l.a. times | Feb. 21, 03 | Richard Marosi

[churchillbuff]

A Parting Shot in South Gate

Recalled leaders spent $2.1 million -- mostly for legal fees -- in their final week in office, draining reserves.

By Richard Marosi, Times Staff Writer

South Gate political leaders thrown out of office in a recall election last month drained the city's reserve in a weeklong, $2.1-million spending spree that didn't stop until hours before the new council was sworn in.

Starting on the day they were overwhelmingly rejected by voters in the Jan. 28 recall election, former Mayor Xochilt Ruvalcaba and Treasurer Albert Robles signed the checks, with most of the money earmarked for attorneys the ousted officials had hired.

...

snip

The revelations form a closing chapter to the former leaders' turbulent two-year reign. During that time, the southeast Los Angeles County city endured corruption investigations, civic unrest and unruly council meetings that were topped off this month when Ruvalcaba slugged a council member in front of hundreds of residents....

[churchillbuff]

Is this kind of corruption being imported with out-of-control immigration?

[dirtboy]

Is this kind of corruption being imported with out-of-control immigration?

Gee, the Clintons are both natural-born citizens, and they make these chumps look like pikers. Corruption will happen unless a citizenry is vigilant - and the good people of this town took their government back from the crooks.

[Dog]

I see a U.S. DOJ investigation in these creeps future..

[RobbyS]

Don't the people of South Gate have a hanging tree?

[Dog]

Notice they didn't say what political party these two are with..

Hmmmmmm!

[Southack]

"Is this kind of corruption being imported with out-of-control immigration?"

It's not immigration, and it's not skin color, but rather it is the result of a partisan press pushing unqualified candidates due to their electability and/or "fit" for a political agenda.

And in city after city, these B-Team (or worse) "leaders" are managing themselves into near-bankruptcy and crisis (with big checks being made out to their trial-lawyer "advisors" in the process).

[Dog]

Heard anything about this???

[socal_parrot]

I heard ex-Mayor Ruvalcaba say on TV that his political career is not over. He will run for office again either in the US or Mexico.

[Dog]

What party is he with??

[Sloth]

Party affiliation is conspicuously missing.

[Myrddin]

The city council should file suit to make the legal fees a personal debt to the ousted politicians. If they can't pay, they should be prosecuted for fraud and imprisoned.

[expatpat]

He will run for office again either in the US or Mexico.

Ain't that terrific -- not even a real citizen!

[NormsRevenge]

Old news. Nothing will happen to them, more then likely. I remember posting a couple of stories on this.

[Almondjoy]

That's because party affliation has nothing to do with the crime. Demo's are not automatically criminals. Any more than Republicans are whacked out vigilantes. But if you prefer the stereotypes to the truth then be my guest. You do have the right to 1st amendment after all.

[Republicus2001]

the last few checks wouldn't clear so they waited til the next morning (yesterday) for a federal monies deposit cleared, then cashed out the remaining emergency reserves ... the new treasurer tried to stop payment but was too late ... all $ gone...a classic mob "bust-out"...today South Gate announced laying off 60 employees...
RICO anyone? or are municipal workers immune?

[socal_parrot]

Most city elections don't list party affiliation, but I would bet he's a Dem.

[socal_parrot]

Mexico recognizes dual citizenship.

[Inspectorette]

I heard ex-Mayor Ruvalcaba say on TV that his political career is not over. He will run for office again either in the US or Mexico.

I think the ex-Mayor is a "she", not a "he". The mayor punched out another council member and justified it by saying the guy had tried to grope her breasts.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I haven't been following this at all!

[socal_parrot]

You're right. I typed before I thought.