Former San Gabriel Valley lawmaker sentenced after FBI uncovers cash buried in backyard

Federal agents found $62,900 buried in the backyard of former San Gabriel Valley councilmember, resulting in a guilty plea to corruption and a $10,000 fine plus the seizure of almost $220,000. The Department of Justice detailed that he and former Compton councilman Jacob Galvan accepted bribes to influence police union contracts and city permits for marijuana cultivation. The former councilman admitted receiving $20,000 from an undercover police officer and $37,900 from the same source between January and October 2018, in exchange for voting for a multi-million-dollar police contract.

Galvan was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution. Both officials had used their positions to benefit marijuana businesses seeking permits, and the former councilman later cooperated with investigators as an informant.