In the web of municipal corruption, two former city officials in Commerce and Baldwin Park have now faced the consequences for their role in bribery schemes. Edgar Pascual Cisneros, former city manager for Commerce, and Robert Manuel Nacionales Tafoya, once city attorney for Baldwin Park, have entered guilty pleas to federal charges, as the Justice Department recently disclosed.
Cisneros admitted on November 6, 2023, to federal bribery, confirming his involvement in the greasing of palms to influence cannabis permitting in Baldwin Park. Simultaneously, Tafoya pleaded guilty on December 5, 2023, to both bribery and tax evasion charges. This admission of guilt, as reported by the Justice Department, unearthed corrupt dealings and tax discrepancies amounting to roughly $650,000.
Cisneros is culpable for the facilitation of a $45,000 bribe aimed at securing a marijuana permit, with the promise of a $235,000 kickback. Tafoya's role was pivotal in a separate bribery plot with former Compton City Councilmember Isaac Galvan, centering on garnering support for a marijuana permit for Galvan's client through illicit financial incentives.
Adding more names to the rolls of dishonor, Ricardo Pacheco, a former Baldwin Park City Councilmember, had earlier pleaded guilty to federal bribery, outlining schemes involving Tafoya and Gabriel Chavez, a former planning commissioner for San Bernardino County who also pleaded guilty to related charges. Attention turns to the forthcoming sentencing hearings for Pacheco and Chavez in February and April 2025, respectively.
Another layer to the scandal is found in the pending trial of Galvan and his consulting client, Yichang Bai, arrested for their alleged roles in a $70,000 bribery to Pacheco, detailed in a federal grand jury indictment. Their declarations of innocence will be tested in court, with a trial date set for June 10, 2025.
While the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the gravity of the charges casts long shadows over the governance of these California cities. The cases, vehemently prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys, lay bare the intersections of power and greed. Those with information on this or similar corruption issues are urged by the FBI to come forward.
The investigations by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation delve into the depths of public corruption. Questions and tips concerning these or other public corruption matters can be directed to the FBI’s tip line or the Los Angeles Field Office. For further details on these sprawling cases and the roles of the individuals involved, you can reach out to Ciaran McEvoy, Public Information Officer.
