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Ex-council members from Baldwin Park and Compton sentenced to federal prison on bribery charges
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Andrew Harnik
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Topline:
Two former city council members from Baldwin Park and Compton were each sentenced to 18 months in federal prison Monday for their roles in two bribery schemes, including one involving the licensing of a marijuana shop.
The first case: Ricardo Pacheco, 63, served on the Baldwin Park City Council from 1997 until his resignation in 2020 when he pleaded guilty to one count of bribery. Prosecutors say he admitted to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes — including $20,000 in cash paid at a coffee shop — from a Baldwin Park police officer working at the FBI’s direction. The payment was made in exchange for the council member’s political support of the Baldwin Park Police Association’s contract with the city.
The second case: Isaac Jacob Galvan, 39, who served on the Compton City Council from 2013 to 2022, pleaded guilty in 2025 to one count of bribery and one count of evasion of tax assessment. Prosecutors say Galvan admitted to paying $70,000 in bribes to Pacheco in exchange for Pacheco’s votes and support for commercial marijuana permits in Baldwin Park. Galvan also admitted to failing to report to the IRS more than $500,000 in income.
Fines: U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II fined Pacheco $10,000 and ordered him to forfeit $219,755. That was in addition to $62,900 that Pacheco said he had buried in his backyard in two locations. The judge ordered Galvan to pay $323,557 in restitution.
What’s next: A restitution hearing for Pacheco will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
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