Husband of star witness in Bell corruption case removed from court, accused of sending her signals
The husband of a star witness in the Bell corruption case was ordered removed from court by the judge in the preliminary hearing after a bailiff reported seeing him signaling his wife while on the stand.
The incident occurred Tuesday morning as Lourdes Garcia, the city's director of administrative services, was testifying in the corruption case against eight former and current Bell officials. Garcia, who earned about $422,000, was offered limited immunity in exchange for her testimony in a corruption case accusing city leaders of looting Bell's treasury.
A bailiff informed Judge Henry J. Hall that he saw Jose Garcia make signals to his wife from the gallery of the courtroom. The judge called a sidebar with attorneys and then ordered Jose Garcia out of the court.
In an interview, Jose Garcia, who also works for the city of Bell, denied that he was coaching his wife or giving her signals.
Lourdes Garcia is the second city worker offered partial immunity in an ongoing hearing to determine if there's enough evidence to try current and former City Council members Luis Artiga, Victor Bello, George Cole, Oscar Hernandez, Teresa Jacobo and George Mirabal for misappropriation of public funds.
The immunity offer for Lourdes Garcia — and City Clerk Rebecca Valdez before her — means she cannot be prosecuted by the Los Angeles County district attorney for her testimony. Neither of the city employees have been charged in the corruption case.
RELATED:
Bell pair likened themselves to salary 'pigs'
Bell defense attorneys express concern about judge
Spaccia was trying to save city money, attorney says
--Jeff Gottlieb
Photo: Lourdes Garcia at a Bell City Council meeting Aug. 16. Credit: Christina House / For The Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
A total disregard for the rule of law.
Posted by: lwps | February 15, 2011 at 12:49 PM
These people make me sick to my stomach... a bunch of idiot crooks taking advantage of a even larger group of idiots. off with their heads.
Posted by: Marv | February 15, 2011 at 12:49 PM
There may be more to this story than what we see. If this allegation is true what is the concern of the husband? Maybe he may be labeled a conspirator too?
Posted by: Norm Silver | February 15, 2011 at 12:57 PM
She is as big as a crook as the others. she made $422,000 a year.
What!!! She has no right getting partial immunity...
Posted by: Julio | February 15, 2011 at 01:20 PM
Fry them all. Life in prison.
Posted by: Steve | February 15, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Why did they offer her immunity? There's still one council member who managed to keep his hands clean - why is HE not the star witness? This case is a slam dunk and if she's being coached in court, remover her AND her husband. Scum!
Posted by: boo | February 15, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Does anyone else wonder why the former police chief Randy Adams, hasn't been charged yet?
Posted by: Chris Blair | February 15, 2011 at 01:42 PM
This is a lesson to be learn by all citizens...make sure you vote and know what are you voting for. And make sure to attend all the meeting.
But sadly there are so many people who can vote and vote with a brain of a goldfish.
Posted by: df | February 15, 2011 at 01:44 PM
Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of man will gather out if His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire, There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has an ear to hear, let them hear.” Matthew 13: 40-43
Posted by: bruce | February 15, 2011 at 01:48 PM
If the city is dumb enough to vote all of those people into office the more power to them taking all that money. Granted what that did is wrong but they are politicians, common people. I have no sympathy for the bell people and I only hope justice prevails.
Posted by: Justin | February 15, 2011 at 01:51 PM
She's a waste. The husband is going to do time now...these poor fools are screwed. Dumb piggies...
Posted by: Perpetuates | February 15, 2011 at 02:10 PM
Someone should look into the husbands dealing especially if he works for city hall too! Something shady here.
These outrageous salaries need to stop though. Personally I would like to see the reverse statistic come into play. The more you go over budget/waste the less you get in your paycheck.
These people should be made to pay back every penny to the city and forefit their pensions.
Posted by: swhitS | February 15, 2011 at 02:37 PM
Throw 'em all under the jail!!
Posted by: wutang fan | February 15, 2011 at 02:38 PM
The salaries are...sickening....
Posted by: benwiggin2 | February 15, 2011 at 02:43 PM
Wait.. the prosecutors coach, coax, intimidate and taint witnesses all the time... its time we repeal prosecutorial and judicial immunity.
Posted by: ergie | February 15, 2011 at 02:47 PM
At that pay rate, you would think she was an attorney!
Posted by: pasalaw | February 15, 2011 at 02:49 PM
I can do her job for half the wages. When will her job be posted?
Posted by: Erwin | February 15, 2011 at 02:51 PM
I can do her job for half the wages. When will her job be posted?
Posted by: Erwin | February 15, 2011 at 02:51 PM
what is he ? a gang member throwing signs? jail for all of them and make them pay back everything over $20000 per year!
Posted by: kuruc | February 15, 2011 at 02:58 PM
Disgusting.
Posted by: Fr0ntSight | February 15, 2011 at 02:58 PM
Offer of immunity just means she won't be prosecuted by LA County DA. Hoping someone will figure out a way of getting restitution out of these thieves and getting them to pay back the people of Bell, and also adjusting their rights with respect to future pension benefits. Immunity does not prevent that. If her testimony results in a conviction and if the case against her personally is thin, then immunity in exchange for testimony is a good trade off.
Posted by: alex | February 15, 2011 at 03:12 PM
I hate to say it - but I'm glad - Lourdes was (and is) at the center of this whole mess. Anyone who thinks that she was unaware of the goings on in Bell is out of their minds! She was (and is) still Bell's finance director!
I saw the corruption at Bell first hand (and before everyone gets crazy - I don't work for the POA, BASTA, or any other political group) and it wasn't too hard to pick out those who were on the take. Nice of her to take such a hefty pay cut (Gee, do ya think she was involved??????). If you are gonna blame rizzo, make sure you include Lourdes Garcia, Eric Eggena, and Rebecca Valdez (don't want to leave any important people out!).
Posted by: the shadow | February 15, 2011 at 03:30 PM
Did I read that right? They BOTH still work for the City of Belle? Huh? No wonder the judiciary can't find a prayer in the bible.
Posted by: Bob Johnson | February 15, 2011 at 03:32 PM
I hate to say it - but I'm glad - Lourdes was (and is) at the center of this whole mess. Anyone who thinks that she was unaware of the goings on in Bell is out of their minds! She was (and is) still Bell's finance director!
I saw the corruption at Bell first hand (and before everyone gets crazy - I don't work for the POA, BASTA, or any other political group) and it wasn't too hard to pick out those who were on the take. Nice of her to take such a hefty pay cut (Gee, do ya think she was involved??????). If you are gonna blame rizzo, make sure you include Lourdes Garcia, Eric Eggena, and Rebecca Valdez (don't want to leave any important people out!).
Posted by: the shadow | February 15, 2011 at 03:33 PM
Remember, one blink is yes and two blinks is no....the cough? oh that doesn't mean anything, i just had a scratch in my throat....
Posted by: u know | February 15, 2011 at 03:57 PM