logo
Huntington, California, city hall and mayor's home raided in $14M public funds probe

Huntington, California, city hall and mayor's home raided in $14M public funds probe

Yahoo27-02-2025

A city hall building, the mayor's house and some residences of current and former council members in Huntington, California, were raided on Wednesday in a major corruption probe of a $14 million project, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman.
The investigation, named "Operation Dirty Pond," has been focusing on the "potential misuse of millions of dollars in public funds allocated for the construction of an aquatic center" since November 2022, the DA's Office said.
The Huntington Park Regional Aquatic Center, which was deemed "critical" on the city website, was expected to become a two-story building with an Olympic-size pool, gym, football field, conference rooms and more. However, residents never saw any results, according to the city's vice mayor.
"This is a project that has yielded nothing for the residents," Vice Mayor Arturo Flores said to FOX 11 Los Angeles. "It's my understanding that there's an estimated $14 million, give or take, that has been expended by the city, and that from those funds, the residents of the city have only received an empty lot with dead grass and nothing to show for those millions of dollars."
Recalled Oakland Mayor Indicted On Federal Corruption Charges
Fox News Digital also reached out to Flores and Huntington Park Mayor Karina Macias for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Read On The Fox News App
Former Huntington Park city council member Linda Caraballo reportedly said she sent a 282-page dossier to the DA's Office many years ago to alert them to alleged corruption. Caraballo said to the local station that "big time city officials from the city manager all the way down to the shot caller" should be prepared.
"Heads are going to roll and a lot of people are going to be really put into some serious problems," Caraballo said to FOX 11. "They all should find lawyers right away."
Skyrocketing Healthcare Budget For Illegal Immigrants Haunts Blue State Taxpayers
Valentin Amezquita, another former Huntington Park council member, said to FOX 11 that this may not be the city's only corrupt project and suggests conducting a "forensic audit of the city of current and past contracts."
"This is just the tip of the iceberg," Amezquita said to the local station. "There's many, many more."
Nyc Mayor Eric Adams Asking For Corruption Charges To Be Scrapped
Numerous items were seized during the searches, including public records, financial paperwork and electronic devices, according to the DA's Office.
"My office is committed to ensuring that public officials uphold the highest standards of honesty, integrity and transparency," Hochman said. "When concerns arise about the use of public funds or the actions of those in office, it is our duty to investigate thoroughly and protect the public's trust."
"I want to commend our dedicated prosecutors and investigators for their diligent work on this complex case. Their unwavering commitment to justice ensures that no one – regardless of their position or title – is above the law."Original article source: Huntington, California, city hall and mayor's home raided in $14M public funds probe

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

FBI busts alleged LA riot leader who was filmed handing out ‘bionic shield' face masks to protesters
FBI busts alleged LA riot leader who was filmed handing out ‘bionic shield' face masks to protesters

New York Post

timean hour ago

  • New York Post

FBI busts alleged LA riot leader who was filmed handing out ‘bionic shield' face masks to protesters

The FBI collared an alleged Los Angeles riot leader who they say handed out dozens of face shields to anti-ICE rioters on the streets of Los Angeles. The FBI nabbed Alejandro Theodoro Orellana Thursday morning. He faces a charge of Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorders, US Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said on X. 3 Alejandro Theodoro Orellana was arrested this morning by FBI Los Angeles. USAttyEssayli/X 3 Potential outside agitators are seen handing out PPE face shields and water to rioters in Los Angeles. FOX11 'We are moving quickly to identify and arrest those involved in organizing and/or supporting civil disorder in Los Angeles,' said Essayli. 3 Water and face shields are seen being handed out during the anti-ICE LA riots. FOX11 Unsettling footage taken Tuesday showed dozens of protesters running toward a truck to grab the 'Bionic Shield' face masks, footage shot by Fox11 showed.

Feds arrest 14 of transnational crime ring accused of stealing $30M in COVID-19 relief funds, loans
Feds arrest 14 of transnational crime ring accused of stealing $30M in COVID-19 relief funds, loans

Yahoo

time20 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Feds arrest 14 of transnational crime ring accused of stealing $30M in COVID-19 relief funds, loans

When the COVID-19 pandemic reached the U.S. in early 2020, it spurred an instant economic crisis. Non-essential businesses were forced to close their doors for weeks on end as Americans were urged to stay home and keep their distance from one another. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) In response to the crisis, lawmakers passed the CARES Act, which distributed stimulus checks to struggling Americans, boosted unemployment benefits, and provided loans for small businesses that needed a financial lifeline to stay afloat and pay their employees. Billions of dollars of these taxpayer-funded relief funds were stolen, according to the Justice Department, which has been investigating and prosecuting pandemic relief fraud. As of April last year, it had slapped criminal charges against more than 3,500 defendants for losses of over $2 billion and $1.4 billion had been seized or forfeited. And the work continues. Recently it announced 14 people were arrested for allegedly obtaining more than $25 million in COVID-19 relief funds and small business loans with fraudulent applications. A total of 18 defendants were charged, but four are believed to be in Armenia. Fox 11 reported $30 million was stolen. 'This transnational criminal network sought to defraud the government of millions of dollars and almost succeeded,' said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Acting Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco. 'HSI is continuing to identify these criminal groups looking to profit from the pandemic and will use all available resources to criminally prosecute or remove them from the country.' 'Today's enforcement action is intended to send a message to all criminals who take advantage of government programs designed to help those who need them most,' said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. 'If you took COVID-19 or SBA money you weren't entitled to, your door could be the next one we visit.' Fox 11 reported that Vahe Margaryan, a.k.a. 'William McGrayan,' 42, was the brains of the fraud ring that applied for $47 million in federal funds and managed to get approved for $30 million. He and his co-conspirators allegedly made false documents, including fake bank statements and tax returns, for sham companies that supposedly needed the money. Some of the charges the suspects face are conspiracy to defraud the government, wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. 'Some of the money was spent on homes and luxury goods, the rest was wired to Armenia, making it harder for the U.S. to trace … Most were born in Armenia, but have become naturalized here in the U.S.,' said Fox 11 reporter Matt Finn. The press release says law enforcement seized about $20,000 in cash, two money-counting machines, paper cash bands or currency straps in denominations of $2,000 and $10,000, multiple cell phones, multiple laptops, two loaded semi-automatic 9mm handguns, and boxes of 9mm ammunition. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it Crisis profiteering is the concept of making money from a crisis situation in an unethical or illegal manner. And it can take on different forms. In some cases, it can mean exploiting consumers through price gouging. In the case above, it means stealing funds that were earmarked to help struggling consumers and businesses through a major crisis. As The New York Times reported, lawmakers approved stimulus bills during the pandemic that resulted in roughly $5 trillion of dollars in funding — the largest flood of federal money into the economy in recorded history. An estimated $349 billion went into the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, while $835 billion went into the Paycheck Protection Program. The problem is that lawmakers didn't impose strict requirements for small business aid, allowing it to benefit some companies that didn't need a financial lifeline at the time. Worse yet, funding was so rushed that lawmakers didn't have ample time to put adequate fraud measures in place. In June of 2023, the Small Business Administration's Office of Inspector General released a report estimating it gave out more than $200 billion in potentially fraudulent pandemic relief funds, including EIDL and PPP loans. All told, that would mean that 17% of all COVID-19 EIDL and PPP funds were distributed to potentially fraudulent actors. And this isn't the first time this sort of thing has happened. The U.S. Government Accountability Office said that improper and fraudulent relief payments following Hurricanes Rita and Katrina are estimated at $600 million to $1.4 billion out of the total $6 billion in payments made through the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) program. The same occurred in the post-9/11 days. Disaster relief funds were made available to New York City residents and businesses impacted by the attack. But relaxed requirements on FEMA's part "may have increased the likelihood of fraud in the Individual and Family Grant Program," said the Government Accountability Office. Similarly, 2.6% of the $1.6 billion disbursed after Hurricane Sandy may have been "improper or fraudulent." The problem, of course, is that the more federal relief funds that are lost to fraud, the more money it costs taxpayers. Overall, the federal government loses $233 billion–$521 billion annually to fraud, based on data from 2018-2022. The challenge is that in situations like the pandemic, major hurricanes, and events like 9/11, time is of the essence. Relief dollars often need to be disbursed quickly, so there's not ample time to put guardrails in place to prevent fraud. What the government can try to do, though, is be proactive in identifying those who took advantage of the crisis. While there may not be a 100% recovery rate for stolen funds, the more money the government can recoup, the better. Anyone with information about fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form. Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Footage shows anti-ICE protestor doling out tactical gear in Los Angeles
Footage shows anti-ICE protestor doling out tactical gear in Los Angeles

New York Post

time2 days ago

  • New York Post

Footage shows anti-ICE protestor doling out tactical gear in Los Angeles

Unsettling footage has emerged of an anti-ICE protestor brazenly doling out tactical gear to masked agitators in Los Angeles as the violence continues to escalate. The unidentified person was caught on camera dispersing what appeared to be riot shields and gas masks to the crowd from the back of a pick up truck on Monday afternoon. Scores of rioters could be seen running towards the truck to seize the masks, which had the brand 'bionic shield' emblazoned across it, the footage shot by Fox11 showed. An unidentified person was seen handing out what appeared to be riot shields and gas masks to the crowd from the back of a pick up truck. FOX11 The protests in Los Angeles have entered a fifth day. FOX11 'This is a worrying sight,' Fox11 anchor Elex Michaelson reacted to the clip. 'This is troublemakers. You don't put on a mask unless you have a plan of not wanting somebody to see your face. This is concerning.' The disturbing scene emerged as President Trump ordered yet another 2,000 National Guard troops to head to LA to help quell the violence after weekend protests descended into utter chaos. As the protests entered its fifth day, wild scenes have shown anti-ICE agitators hurling rocks and cement at federal agents, as well as setting cars on fire and storming highways.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store