Dateline Montebello — An examination of official campaign documents, dated July 1 to Sept. 19, obtained by Hews Media Group-Community News, has revealed that Montebello Mayor Jack Hadjinian failed to correctly report $12,000 in donations that could result in $35,000 in fines from the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Montebello Council candidate Vanessa Delgado, whom Mr. Hadjinian is endorsing, also is in violation, failing to report $4,500 in donations that could result in fines totaling $15,000.
In 2012, the Political Reform Act was amended to expand the period in which committees must file immediate disclosure reports.
By 2013, the Fair Political Practices Commission required committees, such as Mr. Hadjinian’s and Ms. Delgado’s, to file a 24-hour contribution report, a Form 497, if the committee received $1,000 or more in a single donation within 90 days before an election.
The election on Nov. 3, two weeks from tomorrow, dictated that any $1,000 donation after Aug. 3 must be reported within 24 hours.
An examination of the Hadjinian campaign contribution reports show seven $1,000 donations after Sept. 8.
When asked, the Montebello City Clerk’s office indicated that no other forms, including 24-hour late contribution reports, had been filed by the Hadjinian or the Delgado campaign.
On Sept. 8, Mr. Hadjinian reported six donations: $1,000 from a sponsor based out of Newport Beach; $1,000 from Joanne Lee an “Executive” at Sherwood Associates; an additional $2,000 from Sherwood Associates; $2,500 from The Beauty Lounge in Pasadena; $2,500 from Derrik Kien Ung; and $1,000 from U.S. Assets, based out of Santa Ana.
On Sept. 19, the California Real Estate Political Action Committee, based in Los Angeles, donated $1,000.
Dollar Here, Dollar There
All seven donations were within the 90-day late contribution-reporting period. But Mr. Hadjinian did not file the reports. Each violation can carry a maximum fine of $5,000.
Mr. Hadjinian also received a $1,600 “in-kind” donation from Phil Pace, who owns several properties in Montebello. Mr. Pace has development projects in Montebello awaiting approval from City Council.
Ms. Delgado failed to report three donations of $1,000 or more. The donations were related to Primstor, the development company where she works.
One thousand dollars was donated by Santa Fe Springs-based L.A.R.D. Investments; $1,000 was donated by Delaware Pacific, based out of Pasadena; and the Laborer’s Local 300 donated $2,500. All three were within the 90-day reporting period. Each violation carries a maximum fine of $5,000.
Further examination of the campaign documents show Mr. Hadjinian and Ms. Delgado using many of the same companies for their campaign, including the same graphics design company.
Noendzmedia, owned by Joe Perez, received $13,400 in the 11 weeks covering the report, $4,200 from Mr. Hadjinian and $9,200 from Ms. Delgado.
Sources are telling us that Mr. Perez is affiliated with ex-Bell Gardens Councilman Mario Beltran who is helping Mr. Hadjinian with his campaign.
In 2009, Mr. Beltran was accused by prosecutors of misusing campaign funds, including a contribution from Calderon, to pay for his legal defense in a 2006 criminal case.
Mr. Beltran pleaded guilty to four charges, including failing to file campaign disclosure forms. He was sentenced to four years’ probation.
As a result of a plea agreement, a judge dismissed seven counts of grand theft but banned Mr. Beltran from office for four years. Mr. Beltran then resigned from the Bell Gardens City Council.
Bell City Councilman Nestor Valencia told the Los Angeles Times in 2013 that, “We know Mario Beltran. It would be highly improper to have anyone hire him, considering his history in our community.”
Mr. Beltran was convicted of filing a false police report in 2013, telling police he was mugged at a hotel.
It was found Mr. Beltran lied to the police about the entire situation.
Sources tell us that Mr. Beltran had solicited a prostitute, then refused to pay her.
The two got into a scuffle and Mr. Beltran dropped his wallet and cellphone and fled. The woman said she grabbed the wallet and phone and later turned them in to police and filed a report.
Mr. Beltran later worked for state Sen.Ron Calderon who is under indictment for bribery and money laundering. He is the brother of Tom Calderon, who is under similar indictments.
It was exclusively reported by us that Council candidate Ms. Delgado bought her home from Tom Calderon.
In emails to Hews Media Group-Community Newspaper, Ms. Delgado first denied that she knew Mr. Calderon owned the house. After we pointed out inaccuracies in her email responses, Ms. Delgado finally admitted she knew Calderon had owned the house.
Calls and email into Mr. Hadjinian and Ms. Delgado went unreturned.
Mr. Hews may be contacted at loscerritosnews.net