Third Cudahy official agrees to plead guilty to bribery, extortion

Former Cudahy City Councilman Osvaldo Conde has agreed to plead guilty to extortion and bribery, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Conde, former Mayor David Silva and Angel Perales, who served as head of code enforcement, interim city manager and head of parks and recreation, were arrested on June 22. Silva and Perales agreed last week to plead guilty to similar charges.

The arrests were part of a federal investigation into corruption in Cudahy. The three are accused of taking a total of $17,000 in bribes from an FBI informant who wanted to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Cudahy.

Authorities are also investigating election fraud in Cudahy. And documents released as part of Silva and Perales' plea agreements suggest a culture of corruption in the city, including bribes to city officials and drug abuse at City Hall.

Conde submitted his resignation from City Council on Wednesday. Silva resigned last week.

Conde faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in state prison and a $500,000 fine, according to the plea agreement.

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-- Jeff Gottlieb

Photo: Cudahy City Hall. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles TImes