Former City Officials Plead Guilty in Baldwin Park Cannabis Bribery Scandal
Two former city officials, Edgar Cisneros, 42, and Robert Tafoya, 62, have pleaded guilty to participating in a bribery scheme tied to Baldwin Park’s cannabis permitting process, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
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The charges, unsealed on December 6, 2023, reveal a network of corruption involving bribes, vote manipulation, and influence peddling.
Key Figures and Their Roles
Edgar Cisneros: Former city manager of Commerce (2017–2023), pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges in November 2023. Cisneros allegedly received $235,000 in payments for helping a company obtain a cannabis permit through $45,000 in bribes.
Robert Tafoya: Former Baldwin Park city attorney (2013–2022), pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges and tax evasion in December 2023, admitting to evading $650,000 in taxes. Tafoya facilitated bribes between Baldwin Park City Councilman Richard Pacheco and former Compton City Councilman Isaac Galvan, who sought cannabis permits for a consulting client.
Richard Pacheco: Former Baldwin Park councilman who began soliciting bribes from cannabis companies in 2017. Pacheco pleaded guilty to unrelated federal bribery charges in June 2020 but admitted to orchestrating bribes in this cannabis scheme.
Isaac Galvan: Former Compton councilman accused of bribing Pacheco $70,000 for cannabis permits on behalf of his client, Yichang Bai. Both Galvan and Bai pleaded not guilty, with their trial set for June 2025.
Gabriel Chavez: Former San Bernardino County planning commissioner who pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges in November 2022.
City Response and Reforms
In response to the scandal, Baldwin Park CEO and City Manager Enrique C. Zalvidar issued a statement emphasizing the city’s efforts to restore integrity in its cannabis program. Measures include:
Uniform Standards: New consistent application requirements for all cannabis operators.
Transparency: All proceedings now occur during public council meetings.
Oversight: Guidance from special legal counsel ensures ethical management.
The city aims to foster a "new culture of integrity and transparency" to regain public trust.
Ongoing Investigation
The FBI and IRS continue to investigate the broader public corruption case, with additional charges or revelations expected. Tafoya and Cisneros have agreed to cooperate with federal authorities, potentially implicating more individuals involved in the scheme.
Looking Ahead
Sentencing:
Richard Pacheco and Gabriel Chavez are scheduled to be sentenced in early 2024.
Sentencing dates for Tafoya and Cisneros are pending.
Trial: Isaac Galvan and Yichang Bai will face trial in June 2025 for their alleged roles in the bribery scheme.
This case underscores the risks of corruption in cannabis regulation and highlights the necessity of robust oversight in emerging industries.
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