With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Former Moreno Valley Councilman Marcelo Co pleads not guilty to welfare fraud
The U.S. Attorney's Office says this is a capture from a video in which Marcelo Co – an ex-Moreno Valley city councilman – accepts a $2.36 million bribe on Jan. 30, 2013.
(
Courtesy U.S. Attorney's Office
)
Former Moreno Valley City Councilman Marcelo Co, 64, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to welfare fraud, the Press-Enterprise reports.
Co allegedly improperly collected money for in-home care for his mother from a state program. The charges led to his resignation in August.
As the Press-Enterprise explains:
Co is accused of taking nearly $15,000 in federal aid for about two years for his ailing mother who spent most of that time living in Taiwan and the Philippines.
A 2011 Adult Protective Services report said Co moved his mother to Taiwan in 2010 and later to the Philippines while he continued collecting home care funding in the United States.
Support for LAist comes from
Co previously agreed to plead guilty to unrelated federal bribery charges, alleging that he accepted a $2.36 million bribe. The investigation of those charges led to a raid on the homes of Co and several other council members this past April, and officials said the bribe is believed to be the largest ever except by a U.S. public official in an undercover operation.
Co already faced up to 13 years in prison on the bribery charges, but if convicted of the welfare fraud charges, he could face up to six years in prison, according to the Press-Enterprise. Co is due back in court for his post-indictment arraignment on the bribery charges on Dec. 4.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist