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By Brian Hews
The Commerce City Clerk announced the official election results today. Candidate Hugo Argumedo retained the top vote spot with 599 followed by Oralia Rebollo at 556. Reballo was heavily supported by Citadel Outlet Mall owner Steve Craig, Rebollo ousted incumbent Denise Robles by 59 votes.
Hews Media Group-Community News was first to report major campaign irregularities related to an Independent Expenditure Committees favoring Rebolo. Rebollo was the recipients of huge financial support from the California League of Voters based out of Whittier.
California League of Voters
The California League of Voters’ documentation shows that the committee “opposed” both Hugo Argumedo and ousted Commerce Councilwoman Denise Robles.
No other candidates were listed as opposed by the committee.
To date, the committee spent over $2,500 to oppose Denise Robles and over $5,900 to defeat leading candidate and former Commerce Councilman Hugo Argumedo. The committee does not have to file expenditures after Feb 14 until July 31, 2015.
The only donor to the California League of Voters was Steve Craig.
Craig donated an eye-opening $40,000 to the committee. The donation was given under his company name, Craig Realty.
Craig has also been a heavy financial supporter of current Commerce Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio, Mayor pro tem Lilia Leon and Councilman Ivan Altamirano who have dominated council meetings with their majority vote.
Citadel Outlet Mall Billboard Violations
HMG-CN was the first to report last week that the Citadel Outlet Mall’s large double-faced digital signs located off the 5 freeway in Commerce were in violation of City, State and Federal outdoor advertising laws and that Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio, Mayor pro tem Lilia Leon, Councilmember Ivan Altamirano, and City Attorney Eddie Olivo have been aware of the violations yet have failed to take action.
Sources tell HMG-CN that they will not take action because the officials are beholden to the Citadel owner Steve Craig.
