An El Monte councilwoman is under fire for failing to report $1,100 from a lobbyist that was put toward her breast augmentation surgery. In response to the controversy, the city is considering the creation of a new ethics commission that would sanction city officials who violate rules on accepting expensive gifts.
The lobbyist, Sigrid Lopez, paid $1,100 to a Pasadena plastic surgeon who performed the surgery on Councilwoman Victoria Martinez Muela. This took place in 2016 when gifts to public officials were limited to $460.
Martinez Muela failed to make note of the gift on her financial interests disclosure form. Former Mayor Andre Quintero submitted a complaint to the district attorney’s office about the payment in May.
Both Martinez Muela and Lopez say they are friends and that the payment had nothing to do with city business. Sounds like one heck of a friendship.
Read more at the Los Angeles Times.