But he also referred to what he called "the nebulous concept of Albert having power." Robles said that was largely a figment of people's imagination.
He told the judge that he could never vote on city issues, and had no power to bend anyone to his will.
Robles described himself as a "court jester" who gained knowledge of city leaders' "intimate thoughts" and who had a knack for knowing what direction things were going in the city. As a result, Robles said, he was able to cultivate an image of power.
"I went around making things appear as if I made them happen," he insisted. "I made myself bigger than I was."
He said he aggressively sought campaign donations, but denied ever breaking the law.
"I was immoral, your honor," Robles said, "but my conduct was not illegal."
But the judge remained skeptical, and perplexed by Robles' defense. At one point, he asked Robles whether he was admitting to having committed a crime, just not the ones he was charged with.
"Yes, your honor," Robles responded, apologizing for his behavior, but not for having done anything illegal.
The judge ordered Robles to pay $639,000 in restitution and ordered him taken into custody. Two federal marshals put on white gloves and handcuffed the ex-treasurer. Garrido, 54, was sentenced to four years; Espinoza, 52, to 10 months; and Klistoff, 43, to six months in prison.
In South Gate, Robles' argument that he had no power left city leaders dumbstruck.
"He struck the fear of God into employees," DeWitt said. "He was very powerful. He controlled the Planning Commission, he controlled the City Council, and the inner workings of the city. If you needed a permit for anything, you had to make a sizable political contribution. But a bribe is a bribe"
Assemblyman Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate), a former city councilman who had many battles with Robles, said the sentencing was a symbolic victory for the city.
"He brought the city to its knees," De La Torre said. "We were so close to having to go bankrupt. We stopped the car just before it headed over the cliff. A few more months and that car would have burst into flames down in a ravine."
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hector.becerra@latimes.com
