Former L.A. City Councilman Richard Alarcòn Found Guilty Of Perjury, Voter Fraud
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Alarcòn lived in Sun Valley, not Panorama City as he declared on city paperwork. (SEIU/Flickr Creative Commons)
The couple was found guilty of several felony charges: Alarcòn of three cases of voter fraud and one count of perjury, and Montes de Oca of two voter fraud counts with one perjury charge.
From 2007 to 2009, Alarcòn represented City Council District 7 in the North East Valley, but lived in a Sun Valley house located in Council District 2. The Los Angeles City Charter demands that Councilmembers are residents of the district they represent.
Alarcòn, though, said that he lived in a Panorama City house, within the district he represented, and never officially mentioned the house in Sun Valley. When questioned by prosecutors, the Alarcòns said they were conducting extensive renovations on the Panorama City house, and would return to it as soon as it was ready for their occupancy.
READ MORE: L.A. Councilmember Alarcòn Raises $9,000 In Legal Fees
Prosecutors argued the opposite, that despite owning the property in Panorama City the Alarcòns never had any intention to return to the property. Evidence submitted to the court includes 2007 blueprints showing plans to demolish the house and replace it with an apartment complex.
Former L.A. City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel testified as well, saying that Alarcòn asked "if I would consider moving the boundaries to include his fiance's house," reported the Los Angeles Times. At the time, the Sun Valley House was inside of Greuel's district, and Alarcòn ask to Greuel would have boundaries redrawn so the house would be a part of his.
Sentencing is set for September 10th, but Alarcòn could face up to six years in state prison. Montes de Oca could face up to five. Both could be barred from holding public office.
Business as usual in the second most corrupted region in America? It seems so unfortunatly.
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