Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: Carlos Bustamante

SAUSD Trustee Roman Reyna will run for the Santa Ana City Council

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Education, Politics, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 19 Comments

Pictured: Roman Reyna and Carlos Bustamante

SAUSD Trustee Roman Reyna has confirmed on this Facebook page that he is running for the Santa Ana City Council, again, this November.  Reyna will be a candidate for Ward 5, which is currently held by Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez.  She is termed out however a lawsuit filed by Santa Ana Parks and Rec Commissioner Max Madrid is seeking to compel the Santa Ana City Clerk to issue nomination papers to Alvarez, on the grounds that Measure D, which extended Council terms, reset the term limit clock for Alvarez. If Madrid’s lawsuit prevails Reyna will have to face off against Alvarez – again.  She already beat him once, back in 2004.  In that race Alvarez got over 26,500 votes while Reyna got only 10,720 votes, according to Smart Voter. Continue reading→

UPDATE: OCDA blocks release of Drakodaidis letter regarding county corruption

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Crime, Lawyers, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Women 1 Comment

UPDATE:  District Attorney Tony Rackauckas Monday quashed the release of a politically explosive letter sent to the Orange County Board of Supervisors by an attorney representing Deputy CEO Alisa Drakodaidis, who abruptly went on a medical leave in the wake of sex crimes charges against former county Public Works executive Carlos Bustamante, according to the Voice of OC.

“Indications are that Orange County Deputy CEO Alisa Drakodaidis is the latest high-level official heading out the door in the wake of the Carlos Bustamante sex crimes scandal,” according to the Voice of OC. Continue reading→

Santa Ana City Council establishes a term limits committee

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Democratic Party, Karina Onofre, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 2 Comments

Tonight’s Santa Ana City Council meeting, which was held at the SAPD’s Community Room, was, as predicted, a real zoo.  Media vans and news crews were everywhere and residents and out of town bloggers packed the proceedings.

As we stated in an earlier post, Council Member Carlos Bustamante, who is facing serious felony sex crime and public theft charges, was not likely to show up, and he didn’t.  This is his second unexcused absence.  After sixty days of not showing up to work, at City Hall, the City Council can dump him and appoint someone to fill out his term. Continue reading→

Brett Franklin pulls papers for Ward 3 on the Santa Ana City Council

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Brett Franklin, Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, Miguel Pulido, Republican Party, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Brett Franklin, a former Santa Ana Council Member, has apparently pulled nomination papers for Ward 3 on the Santa Ana City Council, according to a city insider.  Franklin previously represented Ward 3 for two terms.  He was replaced by current Council Member Carlos Bustamante, who was recently arrested and now faces a number of felony sex crime and public theft charges.  Both Franklin and Bustamante are Republicans, and Franklin is an elected member of the OC GOP’s Central Committee.

I am told that Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido is backing Franklin.  The other declared candidates include Eric Alderete, a lawyer who serves on the Santa Ana Planning Commission, and Charles Hart, who ran for Mayor unsuccessfully against Pulido in 2010.  Alderete is a Democrat, and Hart is a Republican. Continue reading→

Floral Park residents helping Hart to gather Council nomination signatures

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Carlos Bustamante, Charles Hart, Republican Party, Santa Ana 3 Comments

John and Ann Coil, Floral Park residents, are hosting a signature gathering and kick-off party for Charles Hart, a Republican who is running for Santa Ana City Council, on Monday, July 16.

Hart is running for Ward 3, which is currently held by Council Member Carlos Bustamante, who was recently arrested after being charged with several felony sex crimes and public theft.  Bustamante is a former Orange County middle manager and Hart is currently an Orange County middle manager.

Hart has apparently just pulled his Council nomination papers, and the Coils are holding a meeting in order to gather the 20 signatures he needs in order to run for the City Council. Continue reading→

Martinez pushes the Santa Ana City Council to review term limits on Monday

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Carlos Bustamante, Charles Hart, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, Dave Ream, Democratic Party, Eric Alderete, Karina Onofre, Latinos, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Paul Walters, Politics, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 5 Comments

Play time is over – the Santa Ana City Council appears to be rebelling against Mayor Pulido

“The Santa Ana City Council is scheduled July 16 to consider a ballot measure that for the first time could place a term limit on longtime Mayor Miguel Pulido and change term limits for other council members,” according to the Voice of OC.

Council Member Michele Martinez placed an 85 A item on the agenda that reads as follows, “DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL BALLOT MEASURE REGARDING MAYORAL AND COUNCIL TERM LIMITS.”

Both Martinez and her colleague, Council Member David Benavides, ripped Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez this week, on Facebook, when Alvarez’ ally, Santa Ana Parks and Rec Commissioner Max Madrid, filed a lawsuit to compel the Santa Ana City Clerk to issue nomination papers to Alvarez.  She is seeking to run again in November, for reelection, although she appears to be termed out. Continue reading→

San Fernando councilman who had an affair resigns – what about Bustamante?

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Carlos Bustamante, Charles Hart, Civic Affairs, Courts, Crime, Eric Alderete, Lawyers, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Women 3 Comments

A married San Fernando councilman who publicly revealed that he was having an affair with a colleague last year has resigned, according to he L.A. Times, which also stated that “Councilman Mario Hernandez’s resignation came just days after the City Council unexpectedly fired the city’s police chief.”

Hernandez had an affair with a fellow Council Member, and he did the right thing and resigned.  What about Santa Ana Council Member Carlos Bustamante?  He has been charged with a plethora of felony sex crimes and public theft, and Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas basically called him a predator.  Why hasn’t Bustamante done the right thing and resign from the Santa Ana City Council? Continue reading→

Bustamante allegedly plans to attend closed Council sessions only

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Democratic Party, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 14 Comments

Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante, who was arrested earlier this month on a plethora of felony sex crime and public theft charges, is out on bail now and according to a city hall insider he is allegedly planning on attending closed sessions of the Santa Ana City Council, but he won’t be attending public sessions.

My source reports that Bustamante wants to keep getting his Council stipend, his car allowance, and his health benefits, but he does not want to face the music by putting himself in the public square. Continue reading→

Shouldn’t Daly be investigated for alleged Bustamante-like behavior?

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Crime, Democratic Party, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana, Tom Daly, Women Leave a comment

Santa Ana Council Member Carlos Bustamante’s arrest is a tragic situation that should have been resolved many years earlier.

I am deeply disappointed by our County government’s inability to quickly identify and take swift action against all those who didn’t do their job – upholding a workplace that is free from sexual harassment, abuse of authority and abuse of women.

It is a tragedy that many in our County government choose not to listen or turned a blind eye, possibly thinking an investigation would be too embarrassing, too financially costly or as seemingly apparent, a way to protect one of their own, regardless of the potential for serious criminal charges. Continue reading→

Leading sex crime defense attorney thinks Bustamante could be innocent

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, David Benavides, Lawyers, Orange County, Santa Ana 14 Comments

Sex Crime Defense Attorney Paul J. Wallin thinks Carlos Bustamante could mount a good defense

Can Santa Ana Council Member Carlos Bustamante mount a successful defense and defeat the sex crime charges he is facing?  Paul J. Wallin, a local attorney who is a leading expert in defending those accuse of sex crimes thinks he can.

I know Wallin quite well.   I used to work for him many years ago, as a marketing director for his firm, Wallin & Klarich.  This firm defends many professionals, including teachers and other government employees, who are charged with sex crimes.  They also handle all sorts of other criminal defense matters.

Wallin submitted a comment over at the Voice of OC, outlining why he thinks Bustamante isn’t getting a fair shake – and may indeed have a decent defense.  Here is Wallin’s comment: Continue reading→

Ward 3 Council candidate Alderete releases his campaign issues

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, Democratic Party, Eric Alderete, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment

 

Santa Ana Ward 3 candidate Eric Alderete has posted an article on his campaign Facebook page outlining the issues he is running on.  Alderete is the only announced candidate for Ward 3 on the Santa Ana City Council.  The incumbent, Council Member Carlos Bustamante, was arrested on Monday and charged with numerous felony sex crimes and public theft.

Here is Alderete’s article:

The Issues I’m Building My Campaign Around

by Eric M. Alderete Continue reading→

Mayor Miguel Pulido should join those asking Bustamante to resign now

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana, Sean Mill 22 Comments

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido has been silent thus far on the matter of whether or not Santa Ana Council Member Carlos Bustamante should resign from the City Council, now that he is facing a number of felony sex crime and public theft charges.  My sources tell me though that he is standing by Bustamante.

Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Sean Mill sent an email to Pulido earlier today, asking him to join in the call for Bustamante’s resignation.  You may also email Pulido at this link.  Here’s Mill’s email message to Pulido: Continue reading→

Planning Commissioner Alderete to run for Bustamante’s City Council seat

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Democratic Party, Eric Alderete, Jose Solorio, Lou Correa, Michele Martinez, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Sean Mill, Vince Sarmiento 20 Comments

Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Eric Alderete has announced that he will campaign for Ward 3 on the Santa Ana City Council, which is currently held by Council Member Carlos Bustamante, who was arrested last week on a plethora of sex crime and public theft charges.   Ward 3 opens up in November, although Bustamante could still run for reelection.

Alderete has already racked up a number of powerful endorsements including those of: Continue reading→

Bustamante’s last hurrah was the Usual Suspects’ 2012 4th of July event

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, Courts, Crime, David Benavides, Francisco Barragan, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 5 Comments

It turns out that Santa Ana Council Member Carlos Bustamante’s last hurrah was the 2nd Annual Santa Ana Independence Day event at Centennial Park, which was held last Sunday.   He was arrested the very next day, after parking his car in a parking structure at City Hall, on charges of sex crimes and public theft.

One of the things that always bothered me about Bustamante was his overstated patriotism and gung ho attitude towards public safety.  It always felt fake to me.  He once compared himself to movie character Forrest Gump, a pretty dumb guy who made out over time by being in the right place at the right time.  That is the story of Bustamante’s life. Continue reading→

Bustamante almost ended up on the state civil rights commission…

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, Courts, Crime, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Santa Ana 5 Comments

Twin devils of deception

Everyone in Santa Ana is talking about the arrest of Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante, on multiple felony counts of various sex crimes, but most folks have forgotten that former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger once appointed Bustamante to the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission, back in January of 2008.

When I found out about the appointment I could not believe it.  Even then we knew Bustamante had some issues with women, but when I first wrote about the appointment, over at my old Orange Juice blog, I tackled the issue from a different standpoint – pointing out the fact that Santa Ana was a leader in home foreclosures – and Bustamante had done nothing at all about that. Continue reading→