By Brian Hews and Randy Economy
CBMWD Director Bob Apodaca
Hews Media Group-Community News has learned that a special meeting of the Central Basin Municipal Water District Ethics Committee focusing on long time Director Bob Apodaca, already the subject of legal action as a result of a sexual harassment complaint, will convene on Wednesday, September 25th to review another complaint filed by a member of the public.
The Ethics Committee has been very active lately with Apodaca being the second CBMWD Director to come under scrutiny within the past few weeks.
Earlier this month, the Committee took action to refer Board President James Roybal to the Los Angeles County Grand Jury.
According to sources at the embattled water agency, the complaint received against Bob Apodaca was submitted by a resident in Apodaca’s district and could potentially land in the Grand Jury’s hands.
According to a copy of the complaint obtained exclusively by HMG-CN, three allegations were made against Apodaca, all could potentially result in criminal charges being filed.
The first complaint alleges that Apodaca violated Government Code Section 1090 by knowingly voting to approve payments to Caroline Medrano for floral arrangements provided to the District between the period of 2003-2013, including one as recently as August 26, 2013.
HMG-CN broke the story on August 9th that Apodaca’s widely acknowledged common-law wife Medrano, along with another Whittier area firm that sources claim Medrano also owned, had earned over $10,000 providing lavish floral arrangements to the agency.
One $1,500 invoice for Apodaca’s 2006 reelection party described 52 separate pieces being delivered, including flowers to decorate both the men’s and woman’s restrooms.
Invoices show that Medrano, who is also a Whittier City Commissioner, lists her business address at 7937 Sargent Ave. in Whittier, the same address where Apodaca resides.
The complaint explains that a 1090 violation exists when an elected voting member knowingly receives financial benefit from a vote they participate in.
Given that Apodaca and Medrano share the same physical residence, Medrano’s financial gain would potentially benefit Apodaca.
The second complaint filed against Apodaca alleges he committed fraud by illegally electing to enroll Medrano onto his CBMWD provided medical insurance program.
The third complaint is asking the Committee to investigate whether Medrano received compensation from Pacifica Services, Inc.
Pacifica’s contract with CBMWD was recently terminated when a HMG-CN investigation revealed six allegedly unauthorized extensions.
Apodaca voted on Pacifica’s lucrative contract and approved its multiple extensions. Medrano is known to be related to Pacifica’s President Ernest Camacho.
Hews Media Group will provide an update following Wednesday’s meeting of the Committee’s actions.
About frickin’ time world!!! For over ten years that fat pig has made off hand over fist at the District. Bozo Bob made a buck at every corner. Pacifica made him rich I’m sure and now the world finally learns that pathetic Caroline might also be on the payroll. Wow!
Can you imagine how all of us at work felt knowing that this self-righteous elected official was milking our ratepayers to pay for Caroline’s medical insurance while also buying grossly over priced flowers for BS events? There was no need for flowers and everyone would comment why we always had them at all our events. Some of us even joked that they were donated by Rose Hills after funerals. Really! That’s how embarrassed we were about the wasting of public funds. No More!
Go to jail Bob! It’s time for your fat ass to pay the piper..
This guy is a nightmare. How obvious can his crimes be? How could he had gotten away committing these crimes? This sums it all up about Central Basin and confirms all the allegations and suspicions made since these investigations started. When will the District Attorney pick all these crooks up?
I would like to remind Central Basin that they should invite the carrier that insured Mr. Apodaca’s “girlfriend” to participate in the investigation. It is conceivable that perhaps the District might be liable for all past costs associated with insuring this girlfriend. I am assuming that she is elderly such as Apodaca so it would be safe to guess she utilized her coverage frequently and incurred significant costs?
In any event, it would appear that Apodaca committed fraud and given the amount potentially involved, this could constitute a felony crime on Apodaca’s part. With that said, it would be appropriate for this gentleman to resign his position.
According to another publication, Medrano has been in her relationship with Apodaca for 20 years. What’s wrong with this fool, why would she waste 20 years with this slob without any benefit of marriage? No doubt this chump threw her a bone by putting her on his health insurance, naturally because the water agency was footing the bill. Now she will be on the hook for insurance fraud along with her rolly-polly tub of lard. How stupid can women be? I felt sorry for her for about a split-second, and then realized she’s an idiot and deserves what she gets for settling with this clown.
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Anyone see the light at the end of the corruption tunnel in the southeast cities or this is just the tip of the iceberg ?
Same players diffrent show!!!!