Temple City mayor, two others indicted on bribery, perjury charges

Temple City’s mayor and two others were indicted this morning on bribery and perjury charges, authorities said.

Mayor Judy Wong, former Mayor Cathe Wilson and her campaign treasurer, Scott Carwile, pleaded not guilty to the charges in Los Angeles County Superior Court after they surrendered to authorities.  

The 21-count grand jury indictment was unsealed this morning by Judge Patrica Schnegg.

The charges stem from allegations that Wong, Wilson and City Council member David Capra demanded and received cash bribes from Randy Wang, the developer of the Piazza mall project, while they served on the council in 2007.

The three allegedly demanded bribes in return for support of the $75-million project.

Capra pleaded guilty last week to one misdemeanor count of failure to report a campaign contribution and agreed to resign from the council, officials said.

Wong, 53, is charged with three counts of perjury, five counts of bribery and one count of solicitation to commit bribery, all felonies. Wilson, 76, is charged with three counts each of perjury and bribery.

Carwile, 50, is charged with four counts of perjury and one misdemeanor count of failure to establish a campaign fund for reporting.

Bail was set at $250,000 for Wong, $150,000 for Wilson and $100,000 for Carwile.

-- Victoria Kim

Photo: (Left to right) Attorney John Powers, Scott Carwile, Cathe Wilson Judy Wong and attorney Robert Wilson appear in court Wednesday on bribery charges. Credit:  Ken Hively  /  Los Angeles Times

Comments

[James Andrews]

all Democrat's .. Hope and change.

[Jack Wang]

Local politics are hardly a reflection on the Obama administration. Of course, someone who likely peppered his lawn with "Yes on 8" signs wouldn't be expected to understand what hope and change mean.

[David Vivas]

I've known since Around 2001 That Temple City had its problems in its political system and education system. Facts get muddled and lost But No one belived me since Temple City is Suce a Small City. I hope People Realize that the size of a CIty doesn't mean there are not big problems and Issues. And I hope these people, and probably more were involved since thats how Temple City works, realize they cannot escape the criminal system even when they are in a Small City. ::cough:: 250,000 dollars that was wasted in 2003 ::cough::

[M]

Temple City was once an up and coming city in the SG Valley. For some reason it has failed to prosper over the years. The city claimed they had too much drive by traffic (people driving through town but not stopping.) Now I know why!! A small shopping area was going up along with a new condo development. It never happened. Instead you drive up and down Las Tunas Blvd. and see nothing but nail shops, bridal shops and photography shops. After reading this article it is no wonder this city has not flourished!! I'm glad I moved out of there!

[Bad Planning]

I wouldn't be surprised that there's more cities within the Los Angeles area that are doing the same thing. Local politics seems to be under the radar when it comes to public scrutiny.

[mom from temple city]

these are people that we know , run into at the markets and i dont think it is really fair to point the finger at them , we all make mistakes that we are not proud of , and i ll bet they could really use some support from their community

[Mike Koon]

I was in attendance at the emergency meeting of the city council June 12 to appoint and fill the seat of one of the indited council members who resigned. After hearing questions asked of the four candidates for this seat, I heard NOTHING about MORALS or INTEGRITY... so when the public comments portion of the meeting were opened and only two people got up and nothing was said about the morals of the candidates I decided that I must speak. In front of the City Council I asked why no questions were asked of the candidates regarding morals or integrity. I did not promote any individual candidate, but asked that the council make their decision based on a guiding moral compass. It would seem that one of the council members changed his mind which resulted in an unexpected vote for a non Temple City Insider. I don't take any credit for this nor do I know if my comments made any difference, but I really hope and pray that the City embraces an honest and morally sound representation of its Citizens in the future.

May God Bless Temple City!