Assemblymember Calls for Ethics Investigation into State Senator Accused of Soliciting Bribes
A Riverside County legislator is calling for an ethics investigation into a state senator accused of soliciting bribes from a cannabis company in Baldwin Park and accepting fraudulent campaign contributions.
State Senator Susan Rubio Accused
The unnamed state senator, described as "Person 20" in a plea agreement, matches the description of state Sen. Susan Rubio, D-West Covina. Rubio served as a Baldwin Park councilmember during the time period in question.
Plea Agreement Details
The plea agreement, unsealed in December, details a scheme in which "Person 20" allegedly asked Robert Tafoya, the former Baldwin Park city attorney, to help set up a bribery scheme in which a cannabis company would pay $240,000 to an intermediary posing as a consultant, who would then funnel $200,000 to "Person 20" in exchange for his or her support.
Denial of Allegations
Matt Z’berg, a spokesperson for Rubio, stated that the Department of Justice spoke with Rubio about Tafoya more than a year ago and assured her that she was not a target in the government’s investigation. Rubio cooperated fully and is not in communication with the DOJ anymore. Z’berg denied the allegations made in Tafoya’s plea agreement, stating that they have "no basis in truth."
Legal Entanglements
Rubio’s ex-husband, former Assemblymember Roger Hernandez, is currently suing her and her sister, Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, alleging defamation and causing clients to sever ties with him as a government consultant.
Call for Ethics Investigation
Assemblymember Bill Essayli, R-Corona, sent a request for an ethics investigation to the speaker of the Assembly and speaker pro-tem of the Senate on December 12, stating that the plea agreement contains sufficient information to warrant an immediate investigation by the Assembly and Senate Ethics Committees to identify the person described in the plea agreement and consider any and all appropriate disciplinary action.
Conclusion
The public trust placed in every Member of the California Legislature must be protected against clear criminal violations, but also safeguarded against any appearance of impropriety. The allegations made in the plea agreement are serious and warrant a thorough investigation by the appropriate authorities.
FAQs
Q: Who is the state senator accused of soliciting bribes?
A: State Sen. Susan Rubio, D-West Covina.
Q: What is the alleged scheme?
A: The scheme involves a cannabis company paying $240,000 to an intermediary, who would then funnel $200,000 to the state senator in exchange for his or her support.
Q: What is the response of the state senator’s office?
A: A spokesperson for Rubio has denied the allegations, stating that they have "no basis in truth" and that the Department of Justice assured her she was not a target in the government’s investigation.
