California Bribery Scandal Exposes Corruption in Cannabis Permits

California Bribery Scandal Exposes Corruption in Cannabis Permits

Two former California city officials have admitted to their roles in a bribery scheme linked to cannabis permits in Baldwin Park, sparking outrage and ongoing investigations by the FBI and IRS. Edgar Cisneros, 42, former city manager of Commerce, and Robert Tafoya, 62, ex-city attorney for Baldwin Park, both pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The scandal centres around Richard Pacheco, a former Baldwin Park councilman, who began soliciting bribes from businesses seeking cannabis permits in 2017. Cisneros reportedly accepted $235,000, helping a company secure permits through $45,000 in bribes. Tafoya arranged bribes with former Compton councilman Isaac Galvan to favour a consulting client’s permit application.

Both Cisneros and Tafoya are cooperating with authorities as part of a larger public corruption investigation. Meanwhile, Pacheco, who pleaded guilty to unrelated bribery crimes in 2020, admitted to organising further bribes involving Tafoya and other officials. Former San Bernardino County planning commissioner Gabriel Chavez also pleaded guilty to bribery in 2022. Sentences for Pacheco and Chavez are expected next year. Additionally, Galvan and his client, Yichang Bai, face trial in June 2025 after pleading not guilty to charges of paying $70,000 in bribes to secure cannabis licences for Bai’s company.

Baldwin Park city manager Enrique C. Zalvidar has since pledged reforms, stating that the city has implemented transparent processes and strict standards for cannabis licensing. “We are confident a new culture of integrity guides all city matters,” he affirmed.

The case highlights significant corruption in public office and raises questions about the integrity of cannabis regulation in the region. Investigations remain ongoing.

Source: KTLA

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