Alex Vargas has sat on the Hawthorne City Council since 2009. He was elected via a successful grassroots campaign that allowed him to become re-elected to a second term.
He is campaigning on bringing transparency to Hawthorne residents. What Mr. Vargas has failed to be transparent about is astonishing. In 2013, Mr. Vargas and former Mayor Danny Juarez were plagued by allegations of sexual misconduct with city staff.
An outside investigation found the allegations factual but not on the level of sexual harassment.
Both men had to be counseled on their behavior. Mr. Vargas is not above making derogatory comments on businesses operating in the city.
In a confidential Hawthorne City Hall communique to Mr. Vargas two years ago, dated Oct. 25, 2013, he was told that a city-hired investigator “confirmed the factual allegation you had touched/rubbed the shoulder and arm of (name redacted) , and that you made personal inquiries about the age, relationships status and ethnicity of (name redacted). However, the City has determined that this behavior does not rise to the level of sexual harassment…You are also reminded that you are not to engage in any behavior which can be perceived as or is retaliatory towards (name redacted).”
