California: Petitions handed in against San Fernando Mayor, two council members

San Fernando Mayor Brenda Esqueda, Councilman Mario Hernandez and Councilwoman Maribel De La Torre are all facing a possible recall, after petitioners handed in 2800 signatures for each. They needed 2,029.

The recall was backed by the city's police union. The council members are accused of marital infidelity, and (likely more important) negotiating in bad faith with the police union, of supporting a former police chief alleged to have had an affair with a cadet, of attempting to illegally privatize fire services, and of financial mismanagement

The San Fernando Police Officers Association, which represents 26 sworn officers, gave $2,500 to support the recall committee between January and March, according to a financial disclosure report filed with the city. Another $6,000 flowed in from members of the city's Police Advisory Council, including $5,000 from a local contractor, Bernards Bros.

Three years ago, Councilman Jose Hernandez and the late Councilwoman Julie Ruelas lost their seats in a recall vote, with a total turnout of 1,463 voters, or 18 percent of the city's electorate.