Legal News

Councilman and wife indicted for voter fraud

By Richard Binder

After a 15-month investigation by the district attorney's Public Integrity Division, a grand jury indicted Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon and his wife, Flora Montes de Oca, on a total of 24 felony counts. The indictment stems from allegations that Alarcon and de Oca falsely claimed their house was in the councilman's district, where, according to the Los Angeles Times, neighbors said they hadn't seen him for years.

Under the City Charter, candidates running for a seat on the City Council must reside in the district they are seeking to represent.

Alarcon faces 18 charges of perjury, voter fraud and filing a false declaration of candidacy. His wife is charged with six counts including perjury and voter fraud.

Alarcon maintained the innocence of both his wife and himself, and said he would not let the case be a distraction from his duties as councilman. Both have plead not guilty to the charges.

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Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on August 05, 2010 (boomark / email).