Five Candidates Vie to Replace Cudahy Councilman
Former city council member Osvaldo Conde was charged in a federal bribery investigation along with the mayor and another official. Applicants seeking to replace him will speak at two public meetings.
KNBC
Former Cudahy Councilman Osvaldo Conde, seen here during his arrest after a standoff with police June 22, has agreed to plead guilty to extortion and bribery charges. The plea deal follows similar agreements for two other Cudahy officials.
Five people have applied to be appointed to the city council in Cudahy, where bribery and corruption allegations forced the resignation of the mayor, a councilman and a top unelected official.
Among those seeking to help govern the small city in southeastern Los Angeles County are an investment banker, an L.A. Unified School District employee and a community health care worker, city manager Hector Rodriguez said in a press release this weekend.
Among the candidates, Rudolpho Perez II was described in the release as a senior community health worker at JWCH Institute, Inc., a non-profit health agency. Applicant Jack Guerrero was listed as an MBA investment banker and certified public accountant.
Others hoping to serve the troubled city are Ruby Lucero, described in the press release as a local entrepreneur and Blanca Amezcua Ramos, whom Rodriguez identified as a community activist.
The fifth applicant is Norma A. Contreras, who was described as a parent outreach leader with the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The deadline for applying to fill the position vacated by former councilman Osvaldo Conde was Friday, Aug. 17.
Conde has pleaded guilty to federal bribery and extortion charges in connection with the opening of a marijuana dispensary. Former mayor David Silva and longtime city employee Angel Perales, who at one time was in charge of Cudahy’s code enforcement efforts, have also pleaded guilty in the case.
The candidates aiming to replace Conde will be invited to speak to residents at a public meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 6:45 p.m. The meeting will be held at Clara Street Park, 4835 Clara Street, in Cudahy.
The applicants will also address the City Council at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 5 p.m. at Cudahy City Hall, which is located at 5220 Santa Ana Street.
The city council will appoint one of the candidates to the open seat.
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