US News
Former California councilmen sentenced to 18 months in federal bribery scheme
Two former Southern California council members received federal prison sentences for their roles in bribery schemes involving city contracts and cannabis permits.
The short version
- Former Baldwin Park Councilman Ricardo Pacheco and former Compton Councilman Isaac Jacob Galvan were each sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.
- Pacheco admitted to accepting bribes related to a police-union contract and marijuana permits, while Galvan facilitated bribe payments and committed tax fraud.
- Federal authorities recovered over $62,000 in cash that Pacheco had buried in his backyard as part of the investigation.
- Pacheco faces a future restitution hearing, while Galvan was ordered to pay over $323,000 in restitution.
Key facts
- Ricardo Pacheco was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, fined $10,000, and ordered to forfeit $219,755 after pleading guilty to bribery charges.[Fox News]
- Federal agents recovered $83,145 in cash proceeds from Pacheco, including $62,900 buried in his backyard.[Fox News]
- Isaac Jacob Galvan received an 18-month federal prison sentence and was ordered to pay $323,557 in restitution for facilitating bribes and failing to report $560,525 in income to the IRS.[Fox News]
- The bribery schemes involved a $4.4 million Baldwin Park police-union contract and commercial marijuana permits for W&F International Corp.[Fox News]
- Business owner Yichang Bai previously pleaded guilty to bribery conspiracy and received a 20-month prison sentence and $3,000 fine in July.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- The exact restitution amount owed by Pacheco remains pending a future court hearing.[Fox News]