MUSD Board member Ben Cardenas
By Brian Hews
Friday July 20, 2018, 5:00 p.m.
HMG-CN has learned through high-level sources that Ben Cardenas has suddenly resigned from his Assistant City Manager position in Pico Rivera.
Cardenas did not give notice, apparently he called in today and resigned and an emergency Council session was called.
The resignation could be linked to the current whistleblower lawsuit between Montebello Unified School District and Susanna Contreras and Cleve Pell that is in its final stages.
Those close to the case say that there are sign Contreras and Pell may win the lawsuit.
Just this week, Board President Joanna Flores and Board member Edgar Cisneros were dismissed, but Cardenas and Board member Lani Cupchoy remained defendants in the lawsuit.
The only Board member not named in the lawsuit was Hector Chacon.
HMG-CN will update when available.
UPDATE:
Pico Rivera Mayor Gustavo Camacho, who apprently knew nothing about the resignation, issued a statement late Friday, “As of today, I have not received any official communication regarding the alleged resignation of Assistant City Manager Benjamin Cardenas. Additionally, I have not been informed of any special meeting to address this issue.”
He gave no notice and quit a job from the City of Pico Rivera that paid him including benefits $205,420.16 in 2017. Plus in 2016 he received $26,525.50 in pay/benefits from the Montebello Unified School District. All according to Transparent California. Why need to ask why and demand competent answers.
Mike Simpfenderfer do you read what you write? At this point I feel Christina “Glad Hands” Garcia is the better choice. I have heard you speak and you seem to be someone that has a lot of pent up hate.