Sweeping Riverside County corruption probe includes charges against 4 of 5 San Jacinto council members [Updated]
Riverside County prosecutors today announced a 155-count indictment in a large public corruption investigation that includes charges against several elected officials.
The indictments target nine people, including four of the five members of the San Jacinto City Council,
The charges, which include 56 felony counts, allege that the participants, including the mayor of San Jacinto, conspired to launder campaign funds into campaign committees.
"These elected officials were entrusted with power and misused that power to advance their own political ambition and to satisfy their greed," said Riverside County Dist. Atty. Rod Pacheco.
[Updated at 4:56 p.m.: Those indicted were Mayor Dale Stubblefield as well as council members Jim Ayres, John Mansperger and James Potts. Also indicted were Nancy Ayres, Byron Jerry Ellison, Stephen Holgate, Robert Osborne and Scott Shaull.]
San Jacinto is east of Riverside. The fast-growing city has a population of about 35,000. The city's website describes it as a "dynamic city located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California — one of the fastest growing regions in the nation."
More details are expected to be revealed at a news conference this afternoon in Riverside.
—David Kelly in Riverside
Gee - a politician accused of corruption and misuse of campaign funds. Who woulda thunk it? Better they get thrown out now while they're still small fish rather than wait until they get to Congress and are almost impossible to unseat.
Good for you, Mr. Pacheco. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Doug | November 12, 2009 at 05:02 PM
"These elected officials were entrusted with power and misused that power to advance their own political ambition and to satisfy their greed," said Riverside County Dist. Atty. Rod Pacheco.
ummm --that's a first for a politician.
Posted by: tim | November 12, 2009 at 05:15 PM
Hooray for San JaGhetto!
Posted by: Mike Reno | November 12, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Jeez! Are there any cities in Southern California where the public officials are NOT corrupt?
Posted by: JOHN | November 12, 2009 at 06:23 PM
don't they get enhanced penalties if convicted?
Posted by: roy rogers | November 12, 2009 at 07:19 PM
When will they investigate the Los Angeles City Council ?
Posted by: dee | November 12, 2009 at 10:10 PM
They need to head to LA where the big money is .
I can't weight, never happen.
Posted by: Soulman45 | November 13, 2009 at 10:07 AM
This country was founded on the integrity of our elected officials,and our states democracy,these dynamic crimes money laundering,bribery,fraud,conspiracy,false federal document sounds like the making of organized crime, is that the make-up of the rich staying rich in the state california? is there anyone in this state thats not afraid of committing a crimes againist the very people that voted them into office? guess not. The state has reached a point of no return in health services,law enforcement, politics, schools, religion,transportion. the total break-down of the things that makes this state (great). These guys must and I repeat must be removed from office, and if not who will we entrust this beautiful state to? anyone without a criminal background check?
Posted by: dogrob1 | November 14, 2009 at 02:08 PM