Los Angeles Unified School District board member Ref Rodriguez pleaded guilty today to a felony conspiracy charge and four misdemeanors for reimbursing donors to his 2015 election campaign, and he resigned from the board.
“I am sorry for the mistakes I have made,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
Under a plea agreement with prosecutors, he was placed on three years probation and ordered to serve 60 days community service. Rodriguez, 47, also reached a settlement today with the city Ethics Commission, admitting that he carried out a money-laundering scheme by reimbursing 25 people who donated money to his campaign. According to prosecutors, Rodriguez raised more than $50,000 during the first campaign reporting period that ended in December 2014 and 25 donors.- most of whom were family members and friends — were allegedly paid back $24,250 by Rodriguez and his cousin, Elizabeth Melendrez.
The LAUSD released a statement.
“We hope to convene the Board in the coming weeks to collaboratively decide the path forward, within the parameters of the process governed by the Los Angeles City Charter. While we would like to ensure no break in representation for District 5 by appointing a temporary voting representative as soon as possible, we would also like to call a special election to fill the vacancy as soon as we can. A Board majority will have to agree to a plan.”
CNS/Sandy Wells
KABC News
