[img]2684|right|Ron Smith||no_popup[/img]An elected official recently in the Westside political spotlight has been arrested on embezzlement charges, it was reported today by the Hews Media Group-Community Newspaper.
Ron Smith, 55 years old, a director of the West Basin Municipal Water District and a residential realtor who lives in Palos Verdes, reportedly first was arrested last Saturday in Long Beach, a source told this newspaper this morning on a warrant from Tracy, in San Joaquin County. The source indicated he was bound over to Tracy police, though he is not in custody today.
Mr. Smith, one of four board members following the resignation of longtime director Ed Little two months ago, received attention for interviewing prospective replacements, including two Culver City residents, Stephen Murray and Steve Rose.
The Los Angeles Newspaper Group reported the following this afternoon:
When Mr. Smith ran for re-election to the West Basin water district in 2010, his personal bankruptcy from a few years earlier was an issue in the campaign. Records show Mr. Smith had filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection in 2007.
While others on the board endorsed Smith's re-election bid in 2010, fellow director Mr. Little, former City Councilman in Culver City, would not.
At the time, Mr. Little pointed to Mr. Smith's personal finance issues. He questioned whether Mr. Smith was fit to manage the agency's money.
“He's not reliable,” Mr. Little said. “You can't depend on him to do what he's supposed to do.
“It's nothing personal. I just want what's best for West Basin.”
Mr. Little, who moved to Virginia, could not be reached for comment.
Mr. Smith was re-elected in 2010 in his Division 1 race against water engineer Louis Atwell, supported financially by Mr. Little.
Hews Media Group said the West Basin Municipal Water District issued the following statement:
“West Basin Municipal Water District has learned that Ronald C. Smith, a West Basin Board member, was arrested on 26 July 2014 for alleged charges of embezzlement of public funds and giving false affidavits. West Basin would like to emphasize that this situation does not reflect the hard work and dedication of the District. West Basin is an industry leader in water conservation, water recycling and water reliability.
“With regard to the charges:
“Mr. Smith has been charged with the following crimes:
“• Penal Code section 424(A) – two counts. This crime involves embezzlement of public funds.
“• Government Code section 1090 – one count. This section prohibits a government official from having a financial interest in a contract entered into by his agency.
“• Penal Code section 118(A) – Four Counts. This statute makes it a crime to file a false affidavit.
“• We do not know the facts that underlie these charges.”
According to the water board’s bio of Ronald Craig Smith, he is a member of the USC Price School of Public Policy — Executive Education Program Advisory Board, an at-large member of Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission Governing Board, representing West Basin.
Before his arrest, the water board said Mr. Smith had worked diligently to maintain his commitments to constituents in water reliability, water quality, water education, water conservation, innovation, sound governance and financial management.
Founder/CEO of the RealtySmith Group and the Success Mastery Institute, Mr. Smith, father of seven, was characterized as an accomplished co-author of a self-development book and an active instructor of tennis/physical conditioning and the martial arts.
The final line of Mr. Smith’s official bio: He is currently serving as Board Treasurer.
