The city of Maywood is as corrupt as can be. The city is majority illegal, and the city council engages in nothing but illegal activity.
The city council has violated numerous open meeting laws. I have submitted FOIA requests in the past, but the city clerk and staff never responded to the inquiries.
The city council delays public comment on general issues to the very end of the meeting, and much of the time they make the audience wait until the very end. The whole scene is a scheme and a scam.
The city had to disband its police force in 2010. The city fired most of its staff, and then city hall entered into part-time status. This community served as a settlement for working class WWII veterans.
Now it's a haven for illegal aliens and corrupt politicians exploiting illegal aliens.
The latest Los Angeles Times story outlines the serious problems overwhelming this city–and one has to wonder if the city is going to last much longer:
Two years ago, a state audit found Maywood was more than $15 million in
debt
debt
Two years ago. Now where are we?
A Los Angeles County investigation into possible corruption in Maywood
has set its sights on a broad swath that includes four current and former
council members, 13 companies, five current and former city administrators and
one activist who dresses up as a clown.
has set its sights on a broad swath that includes four current and former
council members, 13 companies, five current and former city administrators and
one activist who dresses up as a clown.
The clown scares people, according to reports I have heard from other people connected to the city.
Investigators were authorized to search nearly two dozen vehicles,
according to a search warrant obtained by the Los Angeles Times. Investigators
also descended on City Hall, the homes of council members and a city
contractor's office, seizing computers, videos and boxes containing documents
ranging from personal bank statements to City Council agendas, a spokesperson
with the district attorney's office confirmed.
according to a search warrant obtained by the Los Angeles Times. Investigators
also descended on City Hall, the homes of council members and a city
contractor's office, seizing computers, videos and boxes containing documents
ranging from personal bank statements to City Council agendas, a spokesperson
with the district attorney's office confirmed.
The warrant suggests the wide-ranging investigation dovetails with the
suspicion many Maywood residents have had about politics in the city for years.
suspicion many Maywood residents have had about politics in the city for years.
If the city residents don't like the politics they see in the city, then why do they keep electing these corrupt losers in the first place? There was one good guy, Thomas Martin, and he ended up resigning to seek a position somewhere else.
Someone please tell me why this is happening?
It shows that prosecutors are looking at political recall efforts from
2015 through 2017, a city maintenance contractor and a deal involving city
properties and plans for a 24-hour charitable bingo.
2015 through 2017, a city maintenance contractor and a deal involving city
properties and plans for a 24-hour charitable bingo.
A percentage of the profits from the planned bingo, according to emails
obtained by The Times, was slated to go to a nonprofit organization owned by
Edwin T. Snell, an activist who shows up at City Hall meetings in a clown
outfit.
obtained by The Times, was slated to go to a nonprofit organization owned by
Edwin T. Snell, an activist who shows up at City Hall meetings in a clown
outfit.
Maywood is one of Southern California's smallest and most densely
packed cities — 1.18 square miles with nearly 30,000 people squeezed into an
industrial zone south of downtown Los Angeles.
packed cities — 1.18 square miles with nearly 30,000 people squeezed into an
industrial zone south of downtown Los Angeles.
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Much like Cudahy. I wonder if Huntington Park is this compacted, too.
But for its tiny size, Maywood has suffered oversized problems for more
than a decade. Seemingly always on the brink of financial collapse, the town
played a role in a huge corruption investigation in neighboring Bell.
than a decade. Seemingly always on the brink of financial collapse, the town
played a role in a huge corruption investigation in neighboring Bell.
Maywood officials had hired Bell to manage key city functions, an
arrangement that fell apart when that city became entangled in a scandal
involving over-the-top salaries for council members and city administrators.
arrangement that fell apart when that city became entangled in a scandal
involving over-the-top salaries for council members and city administrators.
So that's how Bell got involved. What is happening?! We are seeing Bell politics all over again, with little corrupt officials looking to line their pockets in any way possible. How much does the city manager get?
Maywood once had a police department that became a haven for many cops
who had been forced out of previous jobs or had brushes with the law. A
16-month investigation by the attorney general revealed that the culture at the
department was "permeated with sexual innuendo, harassment, vulgarity,
discourtesy to members of the public as well as among officers, and a lack of
cultural, racial and ethnic sensitivity and respect."
who had been forced out of previous jobs or had brushes with the law. A
16-month investigation by the attorney general revealed that the culture at the
department was "permeated with sexual innuendo, harassment, vulgarity,
discourtesy to members of the public as well as among officers, and a lack of
cultural, racial and ethnic sensitivity and respect."
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Two years ago, a state audit found Maywood was more than $15 million in
debt and owed money to its creditors. The City Council raised ire by hiring a
city manager whom the mayor met through his auto mechanic shop and who had no
government experience.
debt and owed money to its creditors. The City Council raised ire by hiring a
city manager whom the mayor met through his auto mechanic shop and who had no
government experience.
My goodness, you can't make this stuff up.
"What's happened in Maywood is like a battle between the forces of
today and yesterday," said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount),
whose district includes Maywood. "It's like a zombie coming out of the
grave that just won't die."
today and yesterday," said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount),
whose district includes Maywood. "It's like a zombie coming out of the
grave that just won't die."
Perhaps in part because Rendon is part of this machine and is promoting this corruption in turn. Where has he been all these years? He has been in office for the last six years. One would think that he could show some leadership and drain the swamp.
He's not interested in doing anything about it, though, since he is part of the swamp!
Southeast Los Angeles County cities, including Maywood, have been mired
in municipal corruption for decades. The collection of small cities along the
710 Freeway — Vernon, Bell, Huntington Park, Cudahy — have faced generations of
political upheaval, with prosecutors claiming politicians take advantage of
electorates who are not always plugged in to what's going on.
in municipal corruption for decades. The collection of small cities along the
710 Freeway — Vernon, Bell, Huntington Park, Cudahy — have faced generations of
political upheaval, with prosecutors claiming politicians take advantage of
electorates who are not always plugged in to what's going on.
How many of the residents are illegal aliens? How many of their relatives are going to say anything, since they fear deportation? The corruption begins and ends with this third-world peasant culture invading these cities!
Despite having arguably the most consistently tumultuous City Hall in
the area, Maywood officials have rarely found themselves facing criminal
charges, at least for political malfeasance.
the area, Maywood officials have rarely found themselves facing criminal
charges, at least for political malfeasance.
"If folks are eventually arrested, that will be six of the nine
cities that I represent that have had former council members in prison,"
Rendon said. "Six of the nine, which tells us something about the depth of
the problems."
cities that I represent that have had former council members in prison,"
Rendon said. "Six of the nine, which tells us something about the depth of
the problems."
And you're part of it, Rendon!
A spokesman for the district attorney's office could not comment on the
ongoing investigation in Maywood. But sources familiar with the investigation
told The Times that one aspect of the inquiry involves votes made by elected
officials that could pose conflicts of interest.
ongoing investigation in Maywood. But sources familiar with the investigation
told The Times that one aspect of the inquiry involves votes made by elected
officials that could pose conflicts of interest.
In an odd twist, when investigators showed up at the city to serve
multiple search warrants more than two weeks ago, investigators discovered
about 40 roosters nestled in the corner of Mayor Ramon Medina's mechanic shop.
They called animal control to take the birds away.
multiple search warrants more than two weeks ago, investigators discovered
about 40 roosters nestled in the corner of Mayor Ramon Medina's mechanic shop.
They called animal control to take the birds away.
Medina said his 20-year-old son raised roosters.
The same day, photos emerged of marijuana plants growing at his auto
shop. Investigators found no plants when they searched the business. The mayor
said his son had been growing the plants and that he asked him to remove them.
shop. Investigators found no plants when they searched the business. The mayor
said his son had been growing the plants and that he asked him to remove them.
Sure, Ramon. Whatever you say …
Roosters and marijuana plants were not mentioned in the search warrant,
and there is no apparent link with the birds or the pot to the investigation.
and there is no apparent link with the birds or the pot to the investigation.
A week after the raids, angry residents packed into City Hall to
chastise the council members. Resident Lilia Mariscal, 63, didn't speak but
held a sign that read, "You Bring Maywood Shame."
chastise the council members. Resident Lilia Mariscal, 63, didn't speak but
held a sign that read, "You Bring Maywood Shame."
"Nothing is going to change here," said 75-year-old Salvador
Romero. "I want to know what's going on. Is it corruption?"
Romero. "I want to know what's going on. Is it corruption?"
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Does this resident really need to ask?
Rendon said a lack of civic engagement and low voter turnouts, as well
as dwindling media outlets to keep watch over elected officials, have
contributed to some of the problems in cities like Maywood. The city has a
large population of Latino immigrants, many of whom can't vote.
as dwindling media outlets to keep watch over elected officials, have
contributed to some of the problems in cities like Maywood. The city has a
large population of Latino immigrants, many of whom can't vote.
"Immigrants", Rendon says, when he really should say "illegal aliens." Shame on all of them.
In addition to the mayor, other officials named in the search warrant
include Maywood City Atty. Michael Montgomery, Building and Planning Director
David Mango and Reuben Martinez, the acting city manager.
include Maywood City Atty. Michael Montgomery, Building and Planning Director
David Mango and Reuben Martinez, the acting city manager.
Also listed are Vice Mayor Ricardo Villarreal and Sergio Calderon, a
former councilman who resigned in January to settle a conflict-of-interest
lawsuit filed by county prosecutors.
former councilman who resigned in January to settle a conflict-of-interest
lawsuit filed by county prosecutors.
Calderon was serving on the Water District, which included the city of Maywood. "Conflict of interest" is putting it mildly.
Among the companies listed on the warrant is ECM Group Inc., which was
the subject of a federal corruption probe in South El Monte that ended with the
criminal conviction of that city's mayor in 2016.
the subject of a federal corruption probe in South El Monte that ended with the
criminal conviction of that city's mayor in 2016.
South El Monte mayor goes to prison. OK, but what about Andre Quintero, too? When is he going to prison for aiding and abetting illegal aliens at the illegal alien forum in April last year?
The city of Maywood hired ECM Group that same year, despite repeated
warnings from Councilman Eduardo De La Riva, who said that the firm's contract
in South El Monte had ended because of questionable billing practices.
warnings from Councilman Eduardo De La Riva, who said that the firm's contract
in South El Monte had ended because of questionable billing practices.
The month after Maywood hired the firm, South El Monte released an
audit that accused ECM of submitting false time sheets and billing reports to
the city. The audit said workers were reporting 27-hour workdays.
audit that accused ECM of submitting false time sheets and billing reports to
the city. The audit said workers were reporting 27-hour workdays.
Oh brother! I wonder how many people in the ECM Group were friends of the Maywood City Council?
Also named in the warrant is V&M Iron Works, the city's maintenance
contractor, which has made close to $1 million in a year, according to city
records.
contractor, which has made close to $1 million in a year, according to city
records.
That's a lot of money. What did they do for the city, besides rob them blind?
The latest investigation raises a larger question about how Maywood can
turn itself around.
turn itself around.
In 2016, the state auditor found that Maywood had a "flawed
governance and fiscal mismanagement" that prevented Maywood from
recovering its financial health and made it susceptible to corruption.
governance and fiscal mismanagement" that prevented Maywood from
recovering its financial health and made it susceptible to corruption.
It's worse than susceptible at this point. The city is beyond saving, a result of rampant corruption and illegal immigration. The answer is not amnesty. The answer is enforcement of immigration and public integrity laws. Los Angeles County has completely descended into abject chaos. Such lawlessness has become a destructive, dissembling norm, and it needs to be challenged at every level.
Legal residents in the city talk a great deal about the culture of fear and terror that afflicts residents, too. They are so afraid to speak out against the city council. I can't believe this is happening in the United States of America. Since when did law-abiding citizens have to fear for their lives to begin making a difference in their own city?
"The city council has made wasteful spending decisions that
advanced the council members' personal interests to the detriment of Maywood's
residents," the auditor's report said.
advanced the council members' personal interests to the detriment of Maywood's
residents," the auditor's report said.
The problems at City Hall frustrate and embarrass residents, many of
whom said they are not sure how to change things.
whom said they are not sure how to change things.
Maywood is 98% Latino, and 46% of the city's residents are
foreign-born. It garnered national headlines a decade ago when it was one of
the first in the country to declare itself a "sanctuary city" for
those here illegally. Many residents are proud of this distinction and note
that many other cities have since followed Maywood's lead.
foreign-born. It garnered national headlines a decade ago when it was one of
the first in the country to declare itself a "sanctuary city" for
those here illegally. Many residents are proud of this distinction and note
that many other cities have since followed Maywood's lead.
There's part of the problem, folks! A huge part of it.
The city also received positive notoriety for supporting immigrant
youth arts and culture, including a music festival.
youth arts and culture, including a music festival.
"Part of the reason why we can't get rid of these bad politicians
is because they have a grip on the city and they have that grip because no one
has gone down for wrongdoing," De La Riva said. "If the district
attorney does come and finds wrongdoing and files charges, then I think it will
help the city get rid of opportunists who get on the council for the wrong
reasons."
is because they have a grip on the city and they have that grip because no one
has gone down for wrongdoing," De La Riva said. "If the district
attorney does come and finds wrongdoing and files charges, then I think it will
help the city get rid of opportunists who get on the council for the wrong
reasons."
De La Riva said ultimately, the citizens need to show up, demand better
leaders and hold them accountable.
leaders and hold them accountable.
Notice how he said "citizens". The rule of law is essential, and every person who wants to make a difference must do so because they live in the city and the country legally. Why is this so complicated for people?
"I think people need to understand that they can change things and
that they need to stop accepting things as they are," he said. "The
power lies with them."
that they need to stop accepting things as they are," he said. "The
power lies with them."
Final Reflection
The power lies with citizens, not with illegals, and definitely not with the Democratic Party. Right now, the Democrats are fighting over who can be more tyrannical and statist. They are struggling to get all the Bernie voters under their wing while bending over for corporate cronies.
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The decline of Maywood should signal to anyone who is paying attention that lawlessness is not the way to go in our country, in our state. The sanctuary city nonsense has not made Maywood safer or less susceptible to corruption.
It's gotten worse, far worse, as this third-world perversity invades the wonderful United States of America. We need to take a stand against this lawlessness. Hopefully, we are seeing the decline and fall of the rampant illegal alien overreach in our communities and in the County of Los Angeles. It's going from bad to good, everyone, but Trump and his enforcement team have to do a much better job than they are now.
ICE has been cleaning out Northern California, but we need them to come to Southern California and start arresting these sanctuary cities lawmakers and officials who put illegals ahead of American citizens.