Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Authorities seize computers, files as part of corruption probe into Moreno Valley leaders

Authorities have seized computers and files from the Riverside County homes of the City of Moreno Valley mayor and council members. From left to right: Moreno Valley city council members Victoria Baca, Marcelo Co, Mayor Tom Owings, and Moreno Valley city council members Jesse L. Molina and Richard A. Stewart.
Authorities have seized computers and files from the Riverside County homes of the City of Moreno Valley mayor and council members. From left to right: Moreno Valley city council members Victoria Baca, Marcelo Co, Mayor Tom Owings, and Moreno Valley city council members Jesse L. Molina and Richard A. Stewart.
(
Courtesy City of Moreno Valley
)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Authorities have raided the homes of Moreno Valley's mayor and City Council members in a corruption probe.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise says a task force of federal and local agents served search warrants Tuesday on the homes of Mayor Tom Owings, all four of the other council members and a real estate agent. They also raided a developer's office near city hall.

Files and computers were seized.

Michael Moriarty, chief investigator with the Riverside County district attorney's office, tells KABC-TV the raids involved a criminal investigation of possible influence-peddling, campaign violations and political corruption.

No arrests were made.

A call left at City Hall seeking comment from the mayor and council members wasn't immediately returned.

However, Councilman Jesse Molina tells the Press-Enterprise that he's done nothing wrong.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today