Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.

June 11, 2007

Former Alhambra Council Member,Business Partner Plead Guilty in Bribery Case

ALHAMBRA – A former Alhambra councilman and his business partner both pleaded guilty today to one felony count of trying to bribe a councilman three years ago in exchange for his support on a senior housing project, the District Attorney’s office announced.

John Parker Williams, the 69-year-old former councilman, and his business partner Frank Liu, 73, both pleaded guilty to Alhambra Superior Court Judge Lisa Lench, said Deputy District Attorney Sandi Roth with the Public Integrity Division.

Judge Lench sentenced Williams to three years state prison, suspended, and placed him on three formal probation and ordered him to serve one year in the county jail. He also was fined $1,000. Williams was ordered to surrender for his jail sentence on July 9, Roth said.

Liu also was sentenced to three years state prison, suspended, and placed on three years formal probation. He was fined $10,000.

On Aug. 18, 2004, Williams met Alhambra’s Vice Mayor Daniel Arguello at a Main Street restaurant and asked for his help in getting $600,000 in city money for a senior housing project that Williams and Liu wanted to build. He also asked Arguello to help waive about $80,000 in permit fees for the proposed project. Williams then handed $25,000 in cash in a manila envelope to Arguello, who was cooperating with the D.A.’s Bureau of Investigation.

Roth said Liu provided the cash. In exchange for their guilty pleas, one count each of conspiracy and money laundering were dismissed.

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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.