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.
Soboba Indian chairman sentenced in bribery case
Soboba Casino
(
I-5 Design & Manufacture/Flickr (Creative Commons-licensed)
)
Listen
0:50
Soboba Indian chairman sentenced in bribery case
Soboba Indian chairman sentenced in bribery case
The former head of the Soboba Indian tribe has been sentenced to nearly three-and-a-half years in prison for accepting bribes.
Robert Salgado was convicted of taking nearly $900,000 in kickbacks from companies that did business with the Soboba tribe. They were involved in real estate and construction projects at the Soboba casino and reservation.
Federal authorities say Salgado lied about his income on tax returns in order to cover up the bribes and to avoid paying higher taxes on money he’d earned legitimately. The 68-year-old former Soboba tribal chairman oversaw the tribe’s lucrative casino, hotel and entertainment complex in San Jacinto, where he still lives.
Salgado was ousted as tribal leader after the charges came to light. The L.A. federal judge that gave Salgado the 41-month prison term also ordered him to pay more than $200,000 in back taxes. Salgado will surrender to federal authorities in June, and could serve his time at the federal lockup at Terminal Island.
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.
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.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
