California Legislator Accused of Bribery in Cannabis Permit Scandal
An unnamed California legislator, referred to as "Person 20" in Department of Justice documents, is accused of soliciting and accepting bribes of up to $200,000 in exchange for influencing Baldwin Park's cannabis permitting process.
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Recent reports, including one from the Los Angeles Times, suggest that "Person 20" may be Sen. Susan Rubio. While Rubio is not named in court filings, the documents describe "Person 20" as a public official who had the authority to terminate Baldwin Park's city attorney between 2017 and 2018 and was campaigning for state office until November 2018—criteria that align with Rubio's background.
Rubio’s spokesperson stated she “has no reason to believe that she would be included in any criminal actions.”
Bribery Scheme Unveiled
Key players in the case include former Baldwin Park City Manager Robert Manuel Nacionales Tafoya, who admitted in a plea deal that "Person 20" requested $30,000 in campaign contributions in exchange for job security and financial support.
Additionally, former Baldwin Park City Councilmember Ricardo Pacheco and other officials, including Edgar Pascual Cisneros and Isaac Galvan, are implicated in broader bribery and tax evasion schemes involving cannabis permits. The bribes reportedly ranged from $45,000 to over $235,000.
Call for Ethics Investigation
Assembly Member Bill Essayli has formally requested an investigation into the identity of "Person 20" by the Assembly and Senate Ethics Committees. Essayli stressed the importance of holding elected officials accountable and safeguarding public trust.
In a statement on X, Essayli decried corruption in Sacramento, calling for major reforms and greater accountability to address abuse of power among state officials.
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