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FIRING COMES DAYS AFTER HMG-CN REVELATION OF CBMWD PAYING HIS COLLEGE TUITION.
By Brian Hews and Brian Hews
The Central Basin Municipal Water District has cut its ties with Gilbert Cedillo, Jr., who oversaw Business Development for the embroiled public agency just days after Hews Media Group – Community News published details of how taxpayers picked up $22,000 in tuition costs for him to attend an elite private university here in Southern California.
CBMWD spokesman Joseph Legaspi confirmed that Cedillo, Jr. was officially relieved of his job in which he earned $112,970 annually. That does not include medical and retirement benefits.
Cedillo, Jr. is the son of Los Angeles City Councilman Gilbert Cedillo, Sr. His father is considered by many to be one of the most powerful and influential political figures in East Los Angeles.
Legaspi confirmed in interviews that Cedillo Jr. will “no longer be associated with Central Basin Municipal Water District as of July 31st 2013.”
HMG-CN has also confirmed that Cedillo, Jr. was offered and accepted a severance package “per the district administration policy” that will allow him an additional six weeks of salary and benefits. The severance is worth over $13,000.
On July 5th, HMG-CN published records showing that taxpayers have paid more than $22,000 so Cedillo Jr. could complete his college education at the Christian based Azusa Pacifica University in the East San Gabriel Valley area.
It was documented that Cedillo Jr. was taking 39 units during four terms at Azusa Pacific during the 2012- 13 years to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership/Applied Management.
Cedillo Jr. was rarely seen at work for the past several months by employees and elected directors of the district, but still collected his six-figure salary.
Copies of checks written to Azusa Pacific University to cover the costs of Cedillo Jr’s., salary was approved by former CBMWD General Manager Art Aguilar who is a longtime personal friend of Cedillo’s family.
Cedillo Jr., wrote on his initial application form that he wanted “to continue my education and learn the most effective methods at becoming a great leader and manager.” “I will also be fulfilling the terms and conditions of my employment by enrolling in this program per GM Art Aguilar’s requirement. The start date is July 24, 2012,” Cedillo Jr. stated in the Professional Development Authorization application.
Cedillo said that his anticipated graduation date is in October 2013.
A public records request by HMG-CN pertaining to Cedillo’s grades and if he graduated was refused by CBMWD attorneys citing Government Code Section 6255 which states, “the public interests served by non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure of the records.”
The firm also cited privacy laws in revealing the grades.
Legaspi also confirmed that Cedillo Jr. will not be “responsible” for paying back the public tuition doled out by taxpayers.
“Mr. Cedillo, Jr., does not have to pay Central Basin Water Municipal District back the tuition, per our Professional Development Assistance Program.”
A replacement for Cedillo has not been made public.
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