Multiple residences and offices of several California officials have been raided as part of a major corruption probe.
The raids targeted a city hall building, the mayor’s house, and some residences of current and former council members in Huntington Park, California.
According to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, the raids are part of a major corruption investigation into a $14 million project.
The DA’s office is probing the fraudulent abuse of taxpayer funds.
The investigation is named “Operation Dirty Pond.”
The DA’s Office said it has been focusing on the “potential misuse of millions of dollars in public funds allocated for the construction of an aquatic center” since November 2022.
The Huntington Park Regional Aquatic Center was deemed “critical” on the city website.
It was expected to become a two-story building with an Olympic-size pool, gym, football field, conference rooms, and more.
However, residents never saw any results, according to the city’s vice-mayor.
In a statement to FOX 11 Los Angeles, Vice Mayor Arturo Flores said:
“This is a project that has yielded nothing for the residents.
“It’s my understanding that there’s an estimated $14 million, give or take, that has been expended by the city.
“From those funds, the residents of the city have only received an empty lot with dead grass and nothing to show for those millions of dollars.”
Valentin Amezquita, another former Huntington Park council member, said to FOX 11 that this may not be the city’s only corrupt project.
Amezquita suggests conducting a “forensic audit of the city of current and past contracts.”
Amezquita told the local station:
“This is just the tip of the iceberg.
“There’s many, many more.”
Numerous items were seized during the searches, according to the DA’s Office.
Among the items seized were public records, financial paperwork, and electronic devices.
“My office is committed to ensuring that public officials uphold the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and transparency,” Hochman said.
“When concerns arise about the use of public funds or the actions of those in office, it is our duty to investigate thoroughly and protect the public’s trust.”
“I want to commend our dedicated prosecutors and investigators for their diligent work on this complex case.
“Their unwavering commitment to justice ensures that no one – regardless of their position or title – is above the law.”
In a statement, Huntington Park officials said:
“The City of Huntington Park acknowledges that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has made visits to current and former city officials.
“The city is committed to cooperating fully with the District Attorney’s office throughout this process and remains dedicated to resolving the matter promptly and transparently.”
No arrests have been made yet.
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