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Alarcon Says All Those Allegations About Where He Lives are 'simply incorrect'
Though the grand jury indicted District 7 Councilman Richard Alarcon yesterday on 18 felony counts stemming from allegations he does not reside at his given address within his district, Alarcon continues to assert his innocence.
In a statement issued yesterday, Alarcon insists that he and his wife, Flora, have lived at 14451 Nordhoff Street in Panorama City since November 2006, adding: "That home remains my and my wife’s permanent residence, and we live there full-time with our two daughters. Any allegations to the contrary are simply incorrect."
Further, Alarcon stresses that the charges against him are not about his work as a councilman, but simply about his address. "I have not been accused of any wrongdoing in office, and there has never been a moment when I did not work my hardest to represent my community, to meet its needs, and to solve its problems," says Alarcon. Community leaders who support Alarcon have called a meeting for 10:45 this morning in Panorama City to discuss how they can help the Councilman.
Full text of Alarcon's statement after the jump.
Statement of Richard Alarcón My wife and I are innocent of the charges being brought by the District Attorney. Our home is located at 14451 Nordhoff Street in Panorama City in the Seventh Council District. That home has been my legal residence since November 2006, and it has been my family’s legal residence since my wife Flora and I were married in August 2007. My wife and I are confident that when all of the relevant facts are brought out in a court of law, we will be acquitted of these charges and will be found to have broken no laws.
I am proud to serve the people of the Seventh Council District and the City of Los Angeles. Anyone who knows me knows the passion I have for improving our community, for supporting working families, and for creating a better quality of life for all Angelenos. My entire elected career I have been a fighter and an advocate on issues that are important to the residents of the Northeast Valley, including creating jobs, ensuring public safety, increasing access to health care, helping businesses and protecting the environment.
It is critical that everyone understands that the charges filed against me and my wife today relate to where we live, not to the work that I do as an elected Councilmember. I have not been accused of any wrongdoing in office, and there has never been a moment when I did not work my hardest to represent my community, to meet its needs, and to solve its problems. My dedication to my community will not change because of this or any other matter. I will always fight for the residents of the City of Los Angeles and look out for the Northeast San Fernando Valley. Especially in these tough economic times, Los Angeles’ leaders need to be focused and doing their job, and I will not let these proceedings distract me from that task.
To conclude, my position on this matter is clear: I moved into the house at 14451 Nordhoff Street in Panorama City in the Seventh Council District and established it as my legal domicile in compliance with all applicable laws. That home remains my and my wife’s permanent residence, and we live there full-time with our two daughters. Any allegations to the contrary are simply incorrect.
I ask for your understanding and patience as this process unfolds. I ask you to be open to the facts and to the full story when it is eventually brought out in court. The complete facts will show that my wife and I are innocent of these charges. Thank you.
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