[Editor’s Note: The wrong image was initially used to accompany this story. With apologies to our readers, we have made a correction.] 

Hews Media Group-Community News has confirmed that a paternity lawsuit has been filed by Maribel Zavala against Downey City Councilman Luis Marquez.

We have learned that Mr. Marquez, along with his wife Alma, who is running for Downey City Council, attempted to use his elected office to coerce Ms. Zavala into withholding the publicity of the lawsuit until after the election.

Filed at the Norwalk Court, the case is sealed. However, we were able to obtain the case number, VF014650, and the attorney of record for Ms. Zavala, Sandy Garcia of the Garcia-Miller law firm, based out of Montclair.

A paternity lawsuit is a legal proceeding that asks a court to determine whether a man is the biological father of a child.

Paternity lawsuits are usually filed by a woman attempting to legally establish that a man is the biological father of her child.

Most paternity suits are filed to establish financial or moral responsibility or to settle other issues in controversy between the parents.

People familiar with Mr. Marquez have seen him with the baby at the Whittier Police Dept. and at the Downey Police Dept. in “paternity related proceedings.”

Sources have told us that after Mr. Marquez and his wife Alma discovered the lawsuit had been filed, the two demanded a meeting with Ms. Zavala, which she granted based on her relationship with Luis.

It was not a pleasant meeting according to sources close to Ms. Zavala.

The three reportedly met at the Denny’s in Downey. Ms. Zavala described the meeting as “a shakedown attempt to stop me from publicizing the lawsuit before the election in November.”

Ms. Zavala told the source that Luis and Alma asked her, “to be quiet. Do not say anything. We want to get Alma elected. If she is elected then Luis can get more government contracts and take care of you.”

An angry Ms. Zavala told the source she was ready to call a press conference after the meeting.

Mr. Marquez could be in legal hot water with the L.A. District Attorney because of the meeting.

Using a political office to influence a person and/or a decision is a felony violation of several government codes punishable by up to four years in prison.

But this is not the first time Mr. Marquez has used his office to influence decisions.

7-Eleven wanted to open a store in Bellflower but Mr. Marquez testified in front of Bellflower City Council at a public hearing saying it would be detrimental if the popular local store opened in the area.

Later on it was revealed that Mr. Marquez was representing a liquor store that would have been across the street and suffered loss of business if the 7-Eleven opened.

This story originated at www.loscerritosews.net