John Paul Ledesma

A Mission Viejo city councilman who sent political fund-raising letters to firms with major city contracts is being criticized for the possible abuse of city resources. Councilman John Paul Ledesma sent out invitations for his $125-a-plate luncheon after asking city staff to provide him with a list of firms that had job contracts with Mission Viejo worth $15,000 or more. Ledesma acknowledged using the information for his political mailer, but said he did not request it for that purpose.

A Mission Viejo city councilman who sent political fund-raising letters to firms with major city contracts is being criticized for the possible abuse of city resources. Councilman John Paul Ledesma sent out invitations for his $125-a-plate luncheon after asking city staff to provide him with a list of firms that had job contracts with Mission Viejo worth $15,000 or more. Ledesma acknowledged using the information for his political mailer, but said he did not request it for that purpose.

The City Council this week voted 4 to 0, with Councilman John Paul Ledesma abstaining, to give City Manager Dan Joseph a pay raise. In extending his contract until June 30, 2002, the council upped Joseph's annual salary to $133,380--a 9.8% increase. His last pay raise was two years ago.