[1] It was only a matter of time before we delved into real journalism…
OJB has had it up to here with Miguel Pulido — and we’re going to do something about it. We want to “hire” a writer, ideally an underemployed journalist , to take on the Pulido corruption beat. Gather the history, report the facts, do the analysis — the whole nine yards. We’ll print it daily, if you can write that much and that fast, and with a topic that rich you have a decent chance at a good audience.
We want you to be entirely objective — as shrieking hellions like Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff to corruption-blind OC District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, will try to tear you apart limb from limb for pointing out their utter uselessness when it comes to policing Pulido’s corruption — but we also want you to be inquisitive, incisive and indefatigable. As those quotes in the first line above indicate, “hire” is sort of an inside joke — there’s no money in it for you, but perhaps a measure of glory and a chance to show your chops. (In other words, you’d get paid what I get paid.) And you’d be doing the world a favor.
[2] What prompted this crazy turn of events?
Well, Pulido and his supporters — who seem to include the OCDA’s office, because Orange County is at heart just a larger version of a small Southern town that makes its living pulling delivery trucks off of the highway and pillaging their contents — are apparently going apeshit over the Santa Ana City Council’s decision to release its City Attorney’s Report and they are acting very badly. OJB will be damned if we are not going to enjoy it.
We’re going to have to go backwards in time to explain what’s going on, so just pretend that this is an experimental novel.
Today, Adam Elmahrek of the Voice of OC published a story stating that the OCDA is warning the Santa Ana City Council not to release a report by its City Attorney on the now-notorious “property swap” between Pulido and a city contractor, one of the numerous plausible ways by which Pulido, over decades in office, has managed to enter City Hall not-that-rich and leave it (if he does so this year) awfully-darn-rich. Such a disclosure — coming shortly before early voting begins in the general election, just like the continual drips of new information from depositions in the Irvine City Council’s investigation, which does not seem to bother the DA — “would allegedly compromise an ongoing criminal investigation into the Mayor’s dealings by ‘multiple law enforcement agencies.'” (The quote is from Elmahrek’s story.)
The problem with the position of the DA’s office is that there is no good reason to think that they will do anything to take on official corruption by a well-connected political leader in OC, unless first forced (and humiliated) by the press. And there is ample reason to believe that Rackauckas will fail to pursue Pulido until after the election is over. The City Council believes that voters should know about what looks like an exchange of $200,000 in property value going to the Mayor and kind treatment from the city (in the form of a $1.35 million no-bid contract) going to a City Contractor. That’s why they voted, 6-0, to release the report.
(Schroeder went apeshit today when Elmahrek quoted her as saying that the OCDA’s office would file charges against Pulido after the investigation is finsihed, which is undetermined. It is certainly plausible that she instead said that if they filed charges, it would be after completing the investigation — although it seems more likely that she misspoke than that she was misquoted. Schroeder informed the world, in a widely dispersed open letter, that no one should trust Elmahrek ever again. We tend to trust Elmahrek on this one — and pretty much any other conflict with Schroeder or Rackauckas.)
[3] What Pulido means to Orange County Democratic politics
At the DPOC Endorsement meeting a week and a half ago, at which several Santa Ana Council Members appeared to push for an endorsement of incumbent Councilman Roman Reyna over Pulido, former DPOC Chair Frank Barbaro put on his best country lawyer voice and made this pitch to the crowd (paraphrased here by a bemused attendee ):
“I’ve known XYZ for a number of years and as a matter of fact, Governor Jerry Brown slept at his house many times when he came to Orange County.”
(Despite the fact that the message from the Councilmembers included the warning that Pulido could be indicted at any time, Barbaro did not disclose to the crowd that he was Pulido’s personal lawyer as well as head of the “Victory Fund,” Barbaro’s PAC that takes money that, in most counties, would go to the County Committee — which Barbaro long chaired.)
The writer — newish to DPOC and unfamiliar with Barbaro’s yawps — wanted to know, essentially, what was possibly being conveyed to the audience there.
Maximally connected Democrat John Hanna — the earnestly reasonable-sounding member of the Santa Ana based triumverate that had long dominated the local Democratic Party, was happy to chime in and explain:
It was meant to suggest that one candidate had a good and close relationship to the Governor which could prove useful to a major Orange County city.
So there you have it. In Orange County, which state Democrats tend to see as nothing but a somewhat Democratic ATM sticking out of a Republican vote-creation machine, the only thing that we have to sell is our connections. Even if one is corrupt, or even criminal, one may still be connected — and isn’t that enough?
Nope — that’s no longer enough. People want leadership that doesn’t promote vomiting — leadership that doesn’t leave followers feeling compromised.
OJB would like an accurate take on the Pulido story, told as clearly as possible — both to political junkies who follow local politics and to regular voters who don’t. We’re looking for an accomplished writer who would like to take up that cudgel over the next month or two — and even beyond, if the story survives. If that’s you, you can reach me at mail2greg4-pulido at yahoo dot com.
The press release the DAs Chief of Staff put out ranks in the top ten of the most juvenile responses from a government official I’ve ever seen.
What an embarrassment. Fire her.
As I wrote about S-Kang in my Rackauckas Retrospective (http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2014/05/a-rackauckas-retrospective-is-this-the-county-we-want-to-be/) :
“Early on in Tony’s DA tenure – 2003 – he angered many of his hardworking employees by elevating Susan Kang Schroeder, the catty wife of his longtime ally GOP bigwig Mike Schroeder (now divorced) to the top category of “Grade IV Prosecutor” while she really just functioned (as she still does now) as press secretary. This raised her pay to over $125,000 a year, higher than many much harder working and better-qualified prosecutors, and caused a lot of bitterness, particularly during a time when money was tight, budgets were getting cut, and folks were getting laid off. Susan’s main qualities were, and have been, loyalty to Tony, feisty snark, and vengefulness. Since we’ve become aware of his desire to hand the office over to her whenever he retires (which could be soon after this 72-year old wins re-election Tuesday) we’ve paid closer attention to her. And dude. No. She knows nothing. Just the fact that he has been considering that is enough reason to vote against him. Think Sarah Palin, “one heartbeat away.””
Her press release of yesterday that Ryan references (http://orangecountyda.com/home/index.asp?page=8&recordid=4119) :
WARNING: UNETHICAL AND INACCURATE REPORTING BY THE ‘VOICE OF OC’
“The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) has endured years of unethical and inaccurate web ‘reporting’ by various staff members of the Voice of OC.
The latest occurred this afternoon during my conversation with Adam Elmahrek, who is on staff with the Voice of OC.
Any reporter might make a mistake, but it’s unethical to not correct their mistake when it is obvious they made one and it creates mistaken fact.
Any publication that quotes any future stories from the Voice of OC should proceed with extreme caution and verify its accuracy. If anyone would like the details of the Voice of OC’s pattern of misconduct and unethical behavior, they should contact me directly. Meanwhile, the OCDA is contemplating all remedies available on future contacts with the Voice of OC.
Until this issue is resolved, all calls from the Voice of OC to OCDA staff should be directed to me.”
Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
YAY ADAM!
Well, at least she’s not a complete control freak, by some standards.
A freak though. Seriously, who writes a press release like that?
Word is that it was an INTERNAL memo that escaped.
Two lessons:
(1) Don’t rant like you’re crazy to people at work.
(2) Don’t treat your subordinates in a way that makes them want to do this to you.
I dunno.
http://www.voiceofoc.org/countywide/county_government/article_086023fa-3563-11e4-9d4c-0019bb2963f4.html
I’d fire her for this.
That press release was quite surprising.
What I don’t understand is why the City doesn’t just turn over everything it has to the U.S. Attorney’s Office here in the Central District. They have a Public Corruption Section that took down the former mayor of Rosemead last year on bribery and obstruction of justice. Each and every one of those AUSA’s is incredibly well accomplished, and looking to make a name for themselves by taking down big game. Even if the DA’s office was pressured into bringing charges, I wouldn’t trust that office with prosecuting the case and getting a conviction (if the evidence warranted it).
It’s a crazy idea, but it just might work.
It takes lawyers a long time to determine what words from a report can be made public and which words must be detracted.
That depends in part on who those lawyers are representing. Which, in turn, raises an interesting question: who are the lawyers in question really representing? Hopefully, the City’s residents overall rather than the guy in the Mayor’s Office (which is surely what he’d like.)
I guess that Pulido could have Frank Barbaro go seek a restraining order against the release of those records. That would go over very well with voters!
Any canvasser that comes by the house, spend a lot of time with them asking them to explain what Pulido has been doing. A. Lot. Of Time.
Hire Pedroza!
Thanks, Art — but no.
(Note: probably not actually from Art.)
I think he means for anything. Help around the house, light gardening, bike messenger. A guy’s got to eat.
Still no.
Do as the press release directs anyone interested ….” in details of Voice of OC’s misconduct and unethical behavior”.
Contact the DA Chief of Staff get these allegations of misconduct and unethical behavior she says she will make available to any one that asks for them ….If not true then the Voice Of OC has a case of LIBEL against the DA.
Agreed. I hope they do sue.
HAHA … “I swear to God… You guys get shit wrong. This is bullshit.” Commie Girl’s drinking buddy is really showing her mettle. You think Tony is still looking forward to riding off into the sunset and leaving the reins with her?
“Commie Girl’s drinking buddy”?
Go ahead, Vern — don’t leave the task of ruining my day half undone.
I don’t understand… was that a whole several years of OCW columny that went past you?
Uh, I didn’t return to OC until later 2006 and didn’t start reading the Weekly regularly for some time after that. I was spoiled from having had the Voice to read in NYC, the Stranger in Seattle, and a surprisingly good alt-journalism presence in Vegas. (Plus, by that time, one could get Savage online.) So I have no idea of what columny or calumny you have in mind.
if i take the gig, do i have to actually spend time in santa ana
Yeah, so it would be better just to have you help fund the position. Small bills, please.
nothing left from the envelope that was dropped off a couple of months ago? you guys are starting to get as demanding as my three ex wives
Uhhhhhhh … I never told Vern about that. Was that intended for both of us?
it is always good form to tip the piano player
Bring University of Phoenix graduate Art Pedroza back, he was one of the greatest critics of Miguel Pulido! That was until Miguel bought him off for $5,150. Maybe bring on one of his “imaginary friends” like Ken Lays Not Dead, Robert Darley, Henry Gattis, Fred Ex, Cartpetbagger, Nameless, etc. I lost track of all the sock puppet names his “friends” use.
I thought that one of those friends wasn’t imaginary.
Funny how Pedroza actually believes he fools people when using his anonymous characters. Only emphasizes two things by doing so…does not have the courage to attack people personally and to have comments on his New Santa Ana Blog…..the only comments on his blog come from these anonymous characters he speaks through.
I hope you find someone to cover SA’s dirty little mayor, I can’t wait to find out the details of his “property swap” (aka a bribe).
I noticed in the latest Voice of OC article it said the IRS may be looking into this deal and I think that could be his Achilles heel. His “property swap” was probably done through a 1031 exchange and there are rules for how soon you can re-sell the property (usually 1 year, unless a cashless swap which is 2 years unless there is another 1031, the devil will be in the details). I also find it interesting how title to the house was supposedly “transferred” to Pulido from his family, was that a Quitclaim or something else?
Also, what is with the claims about PULIDO NOT PAYING HIS TAXES?!!!!
From the Voice of OC:
“The Mayor’s consulting business, The LaFarga Group, is listed as located in Orange but hasn’t paid the business license tax there. Although the business continues to operate, its articles of incorporation are suspended for nonpayment of at least $2,487.75 in state income taxes.
Meanwhile, Pulido’s 1.7-acre estate in the city’s Floral Park neighborhood has been under tax liens over the years for nonpayment of state income taxes.”
All the stories about how “wealthy” he is and he can’t pay his fucking state taxes, something doesn’t quite add up. If he is wealthy, the state taxes would be chump-change and why would he risk his reputation on such a pittance? He’s either a liar (about his wealth) or he is an unbelievably audacious guy who couldn’t care less about what his constituents think.
I can’t believe his opponents don’t make his being a DEADBEAT on his STATE TAXES a major campaign issue.
“All the stories about how “wealthy” he is and he can’t pay his fucking state taxes”
Didn’t doesn’t mean can’t.
Didn’t usually is a result of can’t. People that have been to his Floral Park home say it is in the same condition as the Santa Ana infrastructure is….. Failing apart.
A campaign opponent should have the campaign issue entirely about Pulido’s alledged bribery DA investigation and theft from the public tax base by not paying his taxes.
Well, if he can’t pay his taxes then I feel sorry for him and suggest he get into a more profitable line of work other than mayor of Santa Ana (an unpaid position).
Although I regret my harsh characterization (as usual), I still feel it is audacious of him to run for public office while not paying his taxes.
Perhaps your future reporter can confirm or deny the rumors about Pulido supposedly being very wealthy.
I guess he could have really used that half-million-dollar “success fee” for sleasing state buildings that me and Gabriel helped shame him out of …
http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2010/12/pulido-plays-the-500000-pyramid/
Two things that probably would improve things in Santa Ana;
1) Term Limits for the mayor, maybe 4-2 year terms
2) Actually paying the mayor a salary, it is outrageous that a city the size of Santa Ana DOESN’T PAY ITS MAYOR A SALARY!
NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO WORK FOR FREE. Why isn’t it a paid position? There is an old adage “you get what you pay for” and if the city and citizens of Santa Ana (and Anaheim for that matter) can’t manage to pay a living wage to the mayor then they probably shouldn’t complain.
I found the following in the San Jose Mercury News:
Mayor Annual Salaries in California’s 10 Largest Cities (except Santa Ana is the 6th largest city):
San Francisco – $272,103
Los Angeles – $232,426
Oakland – $183,395
Fresno – $130,000
Sacramento – $115,550
San Jose – $114,000
Long Beach – $107,772
San Diego – $100,464
Bakersfield – $24,000
Anaheim – $15,661
Yeah … good point…
They’ve already passed a ordinance establishing Mayoral Term Limits; it just can’t be made to apply retroactively.
More to the point: if you don’t pay for it, they get it anyway by other means.
In the Santa Ana government structure the Mayor is a ceremonial position …..runs council meetings and is spokesperson for the council. City business is conducted by the general council. Examples of Mayor positions above are in a different governmental structure. In this city’s structure if you pay the Mayor you would have to pay the rest of the council members as they have equal responsibilities save the ceremonial part.
Don’t forget Demagouge, Joe Hill, Big Box Of Redwhine………
Your right Phoenix: Its easy to bash from behind a handle. Just ask any of those who agree with you. It’s only sad and bad when you are among the opposition.
Speaking of BATSHIT how about Deb Bowen, what a mess.
I know that he wasn’t Demogogue and isn’t Big Box of Red Whine. I think that at one point or another ALL of us are Joe Hill.
“How about Deb Bowen, what a mess”? Have you started speaking in tongues?
“We want to ‘hire’ a writer, ideally an underemployed journalist , to take on the Pulido corruption beat.”…………. Hmmmmmmmm
Obviously I am that writer.
I have took on Pulido, in the real world, in 2004, 2006, 2008 so I believe that it is as good as it gets resume……..
Furthermore, I write pro bono publico.
You are welcome submit a writing sample. A PERTINENT writing sample. About Pulido.
A true story told to me, personally, by Miguel Angel Pulido (born 1956)
Narrative I.
Once upon a time there was a little boy, emigrant from the Mexico, and they called him Angel, Angelito that is.
The New World was just too confusing for the little Angelito.
Often constipated and lost on the way to the school.
To help to adjust to the new environment, his mam wrote two notes on the paper, in the Spanish obviously, and put one in his right pocket and the other in the left pocket of his pants and told Angelito to show these notes to the authorities in a charge.
So when on the bus to the school, Angelito reached into his left pocket and handed the note to the bus driver who would tell him when to [get off] and when in the classroom he would take note from his right pocket and handed it to the teacher who would instructed Angelito when to [take a shit].
This early childhood experience in the New World made profound impact on the little Angelito’s future political life.
How exactly the older Miguel and later the Mayor of Santa Ana interpreted the “left”, “right”, “exit” and “shit” will be continued in the next Narrative II.
I address this to our readers: do we want to let Stanley continue?
I have a feeling that it’s a joke, and that the punch line will be awful, but I don’t want to deny it to everyone else unseen.
If that was his bid to be the “powerful, objective writer,” then I say no. LOL
“ I refrain from disclosing confidential information concerning litigation, personnel, property, or other affairs of the City, without proper legal authority, nor use such information to advance my financial or other
personal interests.” SA code of ethics.
I think the city council is getting close to stepping in a pile of “Ethics Violations” themselves.
At the rate people are being killed and shot at in that fine city, I don’t think anyone should be reelected!
Try playing in this sandbox.
SA is more like Vegas than Vegas is like Vegas.
The OCEA muscle,SAPOA and state labor unions RUN THIS TOWN.
The rest are just replaceable puppets. Some are better at staying then others.
If you want to point a gun, point it at the unions serving the civic workers.
This is Wisconsin in reverse. STEP ONE.
Dig Deep Juicers. If you dare.
Nothing new. Just a new spin.
“The OCEA, SAPOA, and state labor unions …”
So which of these is Miguel Pulido? Because he sure gives the impression that he “runs this town.”