Official seal of City of Compton (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Randy Economy
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey has demanded that key documents pertaining to different elected officials in the City of Compton be given to her office as part of an internal investigation that is apparently being focused at city hall, Hews Media Group-Community Newspaper can confirm.
On July 31, Lacey directed Compton City Clerk Alita Godwin to turn over several different documents pertaining to Mayor Aja Brown and City Council members Janna Zurita, Isaac Galvan, Yvonne Arceneaux and Dr. Willie O. Jones.
Lacey is also requesting documents pertaining to City Attorney Craig J. Cornwell, City Clerk Alita Godwin and City Treasurer Douglas Sanders.
The District Attorney’s office has specifically requested documents that include candidate registration and qualification forms; declaration of candidacy forms; candidate intention statements; statements of economic interests, as well as documents regarding interest in real property assets. The documents proving absence of criminal records including drug offences may also be required.
Lacey is requesting that city officials provide records dating back “from 2004 to the present.”
In addition, HMG-CN can confirm that in the request, Lacey is specifically asking for “city council agenda and minutes related to the appointment of City Attorney Craig Cornwell.”
On Thursday, Jane Robison, a spokesperson for Lacey told HMG-CN the following about the situation: “We do not confirm if we have ongoing investigations involving any Public Integrity Division.”
Robison went on to say, “I can, however, tell you if we’ve received any complaints against city officials. We have received complaints against four of the Compton officials you inquired about, (Mayor) Aja Brown, (Councilmember) Janna Zurita, (Councilman) Isaac Galvan and (City Attorney) Craig Cornwell.”
HMG-CN will have additional updates on this situation in the future.