Investigation sought into California senator over cannabis permit bribery scheme

An unnamed member of the California Legislature has been accused by the DOJ for soliciting and accepting bribes up to $200,000 in a scheme involving bribes in exchange for a Baldwin Park politician’s vote over the city permitting cannabis process.

This person is referred to as “Person 20,” and described in detail.

A recent story from the Los Angeles Times inferred that this individual could be Sen. Susan Rubio. While she is not named in the documents, “Person 20” is described as a public official who was in a position to terminate the Baldwin Park City attorney between 2017 and 2018 and was running for state office through November 2018 – all of which apply to Rubio.

In a recently unsealed plea agreement, former city manager Robert Manual Nacionales Tafoya claimed that the unnamed individual requested $30,000 in cash payments that should be put into their state campaign account. Tafoya said that the individual agreed to protect his job and assist him financially in exchange for the money.

A spokesperson from Rubio’s office responded to the Times saying that Rubio “has no reason to believe that she would be included in any criminal actions."

Two former top city officials in Commerce and Baldwin Park - Edgar Pascual Cisneros, 42, the former city manager and Tafoya - pled guilty to federal bribery and tax evasion charges in this case.

According to the court documents, former Baldwin Park City Councilmember Ricardo Pacheco began soliciting bribes from companies seeking marijuana permits after the city started issuing them in 2017.

“Cisneros helped a company obtain a marijuana permit and related approvals through approximately $45,000 in bribes and that the company promised to pay Cisneros at least $235,000 to help secure the permit,” reads a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “Tafoya facilitated a bribery scheme involving former Compton City Councilmember Isaac Galvan, in which Galvan sought to obtain a marijuana permit for his consulting client also through bribes to Pacheco. Tafoya further admitted to evading payment of approximately $650,000 in federal tax liability.”

Assembly Member Bill Essayli submitted a letter Dec. 12 to Speaker Robert Rivas, Assembly Chief Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, Speaker pro Tem Mike McGuire and Senate Chief Counsel Erin Peth requesting an investigation into who “Person 20” could be.

“Although the plea agreement does not specifically name the individual legislator, there is sufficient information contained within the record to warrant an immediate investigation by the Assembly and Senate Ethics Committees to identify the person described in the plea agreement, and to consider any and all appropriate disciplinary action,” reads the letter. “The Public Trust placed in every elected Member of the California Legislature must not only be protected against clear criminal violations, but must also be safeguarded against any appearance of impropriety.”

In a statement on X, Essayli said that there is a “rotten culture of corruption in Sacramento.”

“It’s unacceptable for legislators to financially benefit from abusing their powers, while everyday Californians are struggling just to survive under their current Democrat regime,” reads the statement. “We need major reforms and accountability for our state elected officials.”

There has yet to be a response to the letter.