The District Attorney’s Office this morning filed charges against former Mayor Albert Vera, arguably Culver City’s most admired and best known citizen, for allegedly brandishing a firearm during a business dispute.
It is the latest setback for the suddenly starcrossed Vera family.
The Veras have been repeatedly jolted in recent years. There was the sudden death of one son, a series of drug-related brushes with the law that led to a brief prison term and failing health.
The single misdemeanor accusation against the 75-year-old Mr. Vera stems from an argument with a bakery vendor on Friday morning, April 16.
It happened at Sorrento, the legendarily popular Italian market he has operated for about half a century on south Sepulveda Boulevard.
According to authorities, Mr. Vera reportedly told the driver that he had not placed such an order for baked goods, and that he should take away the order. The driver supposedly refused and returned to his vehicle.
He intended to drive away. After he started the engine, he noticed Mr. Vera had gone to the rear of the vehicle and allegedly was pointing a gun at a rear tire. The driver told police that Mr. Vera threatened to shoot the tire of the vehicle if he kept backing up.
Eventually, the driver turned off the engine, and the two men returned inside the store. The driver accepted the bakery goods back, and returned the payment Mr. Vera had given him.
And then the driver contacted Culver City police.
Mr. Vera is due in court in a month. Conviction carries a jail term or probation.
