Ex-South Gate Treasurer Convicted in Bribery Case
Albert Robles, the charismatic and volatile South Gate treasurer who dominated politics in the small, blue-collar city during two tumultuous years, was convicted Thursday of soliciting more than $1.8 million in bribes from bidders on municipal contracts.
Robles, 40, served as an elected official in the predominantly Latino city of 100,000 in southeast Los Angeles County for nearly a dozen years. He became the city's youngest mayor at 26 and essentially gained control of its government late in 2001.
By the time voters rebelled against him, recalling him and three council allies in 2003, the city was near bankruptcy, having lost more than $12 million as a direct result of corruption, prosecutors said.
Money flowed to his brother, to a drug rehabilitation program run by another brother and to the mother of Robles' onetime girlfriend. Robles fired the city attorney and gave the job to his mother's divorce lawyer, who admitted having no experience in government law.
The federal court jury found Robles guilty of 30 counts of bribery, money laundering and depriving the electorate of his honest services.
The defendant appeared sullen when the verdict was announced and declined to comment as he left the courtroom in downtown Los Angeles. His lawyer said he planned an appeal.
South Gate Mayor Greg Martinez was elated at the verdict. "It's going to be fiesta time in the city," he said. "I can't convey how ecstatic we all are today."
Expressing concern that Robles might flee the country in the face of what is likely to be a long prison term, prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson to jail him immediately. Technically, Robles could face up to 510 years behind bars, but under federal sentencing guidelines a term of about 10 years is probable, legal experts said.
Wilson said he saw no need to jail Robles now and allowed him to remain free on bond pending sentencing Oct. 24.
Also convicted Thursday was Robles' longtime friend George Garrido, 53, who was accused of receiving $437,500 in payoffs from the recipient of the city's $48-million garbage-hauling contract.
Recognized by critics as well as supporters as keenly intelligent, Robles was known for his natty attire but also for his blunt talk. He once called state Sen. Martha Escutia a pig at the trough and dismissed state Sen. Richard Polanco with an expletive.
