Huntington Park City Council to meet on Friday as corruption probe prompts protests

On Thursday evening, a group of upset residents and activists gathered in front of Huntington Park City Hall to protest their elected officials and request them to step down after accusations of corruption. 

This happened a day after the Los Angeles County’s District Attorney released information about an investigation dubbed “Operation Dirty Pond” that began in November 2022 on the alleged misuse of millions of dollars allocated for an aquatics center in Salt Lake Park, about a mile away from the City Hall. 

On Wednesday morning, the Bureau of Investigation executed search warrants in 11 locations, including Huntington Park Mayor Karina Macias, Council Member Eduardo Martinez and City Manager Ricardo Reyes’ homes.

The residents said it was time for this council to be accountable for their actions. They said corruption has happened in Huntington Park for years because, for the most part, the same group selects the new council members and makes them vote a certain way. 

Vicente Cadena, a former candidate, said in 2022 he was doing good during his campaign, but the winner by a slight margin was Manny Avila, a then-current councilman, who was very sick. 

“He didn’t campaign, he didn’t even do the swearing-in in City Hall,” said Cadena. “Some people said he did the swearing-in in his bed because he couldn’t move but there is no video or proof.”

Avila died two months after being reelected as councilman.

Cadena said the reelection of Avila was made on purpose so the group could appoint a new member.  

Liz Melendrez, born and raised in Huntington Park, said that she ran former candidate Carlos Cordova’s campaign for council and when she tried to go to senior apartment buildings, she was prohibited entrance. She said this was because elected officials like Mayor Macias would go offer seniors “spa days” where they would take bread, treats and coffee and at the same time, they would help in the voting process. 

“They asked them, ‘do you need help with your ballot,’ then they would help them fill them out and collect them,” said Melendrez. 

Cordova said the corruption is so big that when he would ask businesses to support him, they would decline the help because they were scared of retaliation. 

Another long-time resident, Francisco Diaz, said he wanted to be present during election day to ensure no illegalities were occuring. The City kicked him out of the parking lot, saying he couldn’t be there. 

“But then [Macias'] father and [former Councilwoman] Graciela Ortiz were in the parking lot giving pens and souvenirs and telling people, ‘vote for us,’” he said. 

Diaz said he noticed this was wrong and some residents like him started questioning why candidates who were fit for the seat and had very good chances of winning would lose repeatedly. 

Former Councilman Valentin Amezquita said it is an embarrassment that the City approved $4 million for the removal of contaminated soil and another $8 million that was transferred to a company in New York.

“That’s a lot of money, and yet we have nothing to show,” he said. “I’m an environmental scientist. I used to work at the Port of L.A. I know what I’m talking about, yet they didn’t want me there because I was too honest.”

Where is the money?

The Aquatics Center construction was announced in 2019 and had an estimated $24 million tab. The timeline for completion was 12 to 18 months and it would include an Olympic-sized pool, a gym, conference rooms and a football field. However, the City has spent $14 million, and the only progress at Salt Lake Park is a gated dirt plot. 

Councilman Arturo Flores, who started serving in September 2022, said he started questioning where the money was last year. He requested an investigation and in retaliation, he was served with a Recall Petition where he was accused of being an alcoholic and women’s abuser. 

On Friday morning, he said he is aware of the residents' protest and he agrees that transparency and accountability are fundamental to public service. 

“I am committed to restoring the trust and faith of our residents and want to make sure that I reiterate that not all elected officials are implicated in the investigation and that we must also allow for the investigation to run its course,” he said. 

Reyes said that, as a city manager, he carries out City Council decisions and ensures projects move forward with proper oversight.

“I have always believed in accountability and transparency, which is why I have asked questions about how funds were spent and pushed for clarity on project costs,” he said. “I fully support a thorough and fair investigation and remain committed to working with authorities to ensure the public gets the answers it deserves.” 

Councilman Jonathan Sanabria said Friday’s City Council meeting will be a path to vote for transparency.

“One of the reasons I ran is to bring light to situations that I did not agree with,” he said. 

CALÓ News contacted Mayor Macias and Councilman Martinez but didn’t receive a response. 

Huntington Park City Council has called for a special meeting on Friday at 6 pm. They will discuss the DA’s investigation of the aquatics center and the consideration of legal representation of Attorney Andrew Sarega to represent Reyes and Martinez in matters related to the investigation. Sarega is the special counsel investigating former councilwoman Esmeralda Castillo, who was removed last week for allegedly not residing in Huntington Park.